Labour ministry reveals cost-cutting plans

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Politics

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Labour Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer has announced plans to cut the budget of courses offered to jobless people.Hundstorfer said yesterday (Tues): “It must not happen anymore that someone sits a course such as ‘How do I apply for a job best?’ three times.”The minister announced all courses offered by the Labour Market Service […]

BZÖ wants ‘economy’ a school subject

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Politics

The Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) plans initiatives for more focus on economic subjects at school.The opposition party’s announcement comes after research revealed that half of around 1,900 Austrian university students were unable to answer more than half of the questions about economic issues correctly.Party chief Josef Bucher said today (Mon): “Economics should […]

SPÖ fears British conservative government

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Politics

The Social Democrats (SPÖ) fear that a future British Conservative Party government would have “negative implications,” according to SPÖ federal manager Laura Rudas.Speaking today (Fri) Rudas said that such a government would constitute a set-back for efforts to make Europe “more social and for more regulation and control of financial markets. It would be more […]

Pröll wants banks on board in helping Greece

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Finance

Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Josef Pröll has said he is planning to get banks on board to help financially struggling Greece.Pröll said yesterday evening (Sun) he would speak with the heads of Austria’s main banks about whether they could imagine getting involved in the international subsidisation plan for the financially struggling European Union […]

FPÖ in turmoil as troublemakers expelled

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Politics

Turbulence in the Freedom Party (FPÖ) continues as two Tyrolean party officials were expelled today (Fri).A spokesman for the right-wing opposition party said Innsbruck Councillor Christian Haager and provincial parliament member Walter Gatt had “harmed the FP֒s reputation”.Haager and Gatt are accused of questioning the authority of Tyrolean FPÖ boss Gerald Hauser, who is suffering […]

Dramatic temperature rises registered at national park

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General News

Year on year temperature increases of up to four degrees centigrade have been discovered at an Austrian national park.Upper Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Governor Josef Pühringer and nature protection councillor Manfred Haimbuchner of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) said today (Weds) average temperature had risen at most checkpoints at the Kalkalpen national park by 2.1 degrees […]

All eyes on Rosenkranz as clear Fischer win predicted

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Politics

Incumbent president Heinz Fischer is expected to celebrate a landslide victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, but the main focus will be on the performance of his rival Barbara Rosenkranz.The campaign of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) candidate has been shattered by a series of controversial statements by herself about Austria’s Nazi past. The mother-of-ten accused press […]

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 […]

Cosmos creditors endorse speedy shutdown

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Business

Creditors of bankrupt Cosmos welcomed the decision to close down all branches of the electronic consumer goods chain, according to a lobbyist.Wolfgang Hrobar of the Alpine Creditors’ Protection Association (AKV) said today (Mon) the broke company’s more than 1,500 creditors were happy about the decision to shut all 27 shops since it ensured personnel and […]

‘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 […]