Four in 10 Austrians oppose a recent suggestion to allow single women and lesbian couples to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF). Social Democratic (SPÖ) Health Minister Alois Stöger said last month single women should get the green light to undergo such a procedure. Federal law keeps them from opting for the treatment. Stöger claimed the […]
Vienna has started another attempt to regulate prostitution as a new law on the tradition-rich street sex industry comes into force. The new bylaw – in effect as of today (Tues) – bans prostitution from anywhere in the city but five areas where it is permitted. Two of them are situated along the busy Gürtel […]
Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) President Christoph Leitl has called on the state and Austria’s nine provinces to abstain from raising fees in 2012. Leitl told the Kurier today (Weds) cities and communities should not introduce higher prices for services such as water disposal and the provision of gas. The WKO chief argued yesterday’s metal industry […]
A right-wing member of the federal parliament (MP) has retired from politics after coming under fire for belittling a massacre. Fellow Freedom Party (FPÖ) members and left-wing competitors hit out at Werner Königshofer after he felt urged to emphasise that the “Islamic threat has struck Europe a thousand times more often” than self-styled Christian warriors […]
A young Austrian sentenced to jail for endorsing terrorism may face charges after championing radical Islam just weeks after being released from prison. Mohammed M. was ordered to spend four years behind bars in 2007 after mulling over a terror attack in Austria during the Euro2008 football tournament in an online video. He was released […]
The Green party wants a public opinion poll in the current tax debate. The Green’s spokesperson Werner Kogler said at a press conference today (Fri) that a public opinion poll was necessary to end “red-black stagnation” meaning SPÖ and ÖVP. Furthermore the Greens demanded polls on abolishing mandatory military service and an anti-corruption law. The […]
The Viennese People’s Party (ÖVP) is infuriated after the city government decided to slash the budget of a cultural event it has been hosting for years. The Stadtfest is a tradition-rich series of concerts, performances and readings taking place in the city centre of Vienna. It is organised by the ÖVP. The conservative party formed […]
A new survey has revealed a significant potential for conflicts between Austrians and foreigners. A poll by the Centre for Future Studies of Salzburg’s FH higher education college shows that 53 per cent of Austrians considered the change that existing difficulties in the coexistence of themselves and immigrants could worsen as “very high”. Around 45 […]
District chiefs have turned their guns on the Viennese government over its plans to turn all residential areas into 30-kilometre-per-hour (kph) limit zones. The coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Green Party of Vice Mayor Maria Vassilakou agreed after partnering up last year to increase the number of 30 kph limit streets in the […]
An Austrian hackers group has published the names and home addresses of 24,938 police officials sparking fears that many could be targeted by criminals. Police say the data published by the Austrian branch of the global hacker collective „Anonymous”, known as AnonAustria contained private information for officials ranging from beat officers through to senior commanders. […]