Record-low participation tarnishes Fischer victory

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Politics

Incumbent president Heinz Fischer’s clear victory in yesterday’s (Sun) presidential elections was overshadowed by a record-low turn out.Around 50 per cent of Austrians stayed away from the polling booths as almost 79 per cent of the 6.3 million Austrians entitled to vote supported the former Social Democratic (SPÖ) science minister.The Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) Barbara Rosenkranz […]

Fischer ‘satisfied’ with first term as election nears

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Politics

President Heinz Fischer said he was “satisfied” with his first term in office as Austrians head to the polling booths next Sunday (25 April).Fischer is up against the Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) Barbara Rosenkranz and Rudolf Gehring, head of the non-parliament Christians Party (CPÖ) in the upcoming election. He took office in 2004 and decided last […]

‘Jelly politics’ attack as Kogler named Styrian Greens front runner

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Politics

Greens Graz Vice Mayor Lisa Rücker claimed the big two parties would make “wobbly jelly politics” as her party named Werner Kogler front runner for autumn’s provincial election.MP Kogler was revealed as the party’s top candidate for the 26 September vote after Jörg Martin Willnauer surprisingly resigned.Willnauer announced over the weekend he had decided not […]

Fritzl victims lawyer attacks Church over abuse claims

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General News

A top lawyer has accused the Catholic Church of focusing on damage limitation instead of trying to help the hundreds of victims of abuse at the Church’s institutions.Around 700 people got in touch with psychologists via new and existing hotlines to report their sex and violence abuse ordeals when serving as altar boys, choristers and […]

Greens want €100mn for Catholic Church abuse victims

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Politics

The Greens have called for a 100-million-Euro victims fund for people suffering abuse at Catholic institutions.The party’s juridical issues spokesman Albert Steinhauser said yesterday (Mon) 100 million Euros should be the first benchmark before discussing further action.Steinhauser accused the government coalition – formed by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) – of […]

ÖVP MEP Karas to vote Fischer

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Politics

Othmar Karas has come out as the first major People’s Party (ÖVP) representative to declare his intention to vote for incumbent president Heinz Fischer in the upcoming elections.The Member of the European Parliament (MEP) told the Kurier newspaper today (Fri): “Dr Heinz Fischer is the only eligible candidate from a European policies point of view.”ÖVP […]

Rosenkranz calls for shut borders to combat ‘crime import’

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Politics

Barbara Rosenkranz, the right-wing Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) presidential candidate, said yesterday (Thurs) she wanted Austria to leave the Schengen border agreement.Rosenkranz announced she would reintroduce border checks if she wins the 25 presidential election.Speaking about soaring crime figures, the FPÖ Lower Austria boss referred to crooks from Eastern Europe when she said that the “import […]

EU Council President to visit Austria

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Politics

EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy will visit Austria in April to attend a meeting of the People’s Party’s (ÖVP) parliamentary fraction, it was announced yesterday (Thurs).The fraction’s meeting under the slogan “New Growth for Austria. Research. Energy. Work” will take place from 6 to 8 April at Loipersdorf, Styria.Van Rompuy, a former Belgian Christian […]

Minister wants university admission tests

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Science Minister Beatrix Karl may have to brace for harsh opposition by student protesters after revealing plans to set up admission tests for popular university courses today (Thurs).Thousands of students have joined occupations of auditoriums at several Austria universities and street marches over the past few months to make the public aware […]

Insurance branch tax ‘will mainly affect customers’

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Business

Customers would be the most affected party if the government decides to set up a new tax for insurance companies, a top branch representative has warned.Günter Geyer, Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) chairman and head of the federal insurance companies association, said today (Weds): “Eighty per cent of the money managed by insurance companies belongs to […]