Hofer sceptical about ÖVP’s future impact

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Politics

A renowned political strategist has warned that the People’s Party (ÖVP) could be “pulverised” in the approaching election campaign. Thomas Hofer writes in a guest article for political magazine profil that the conservative party might find it difficult to position itself in the expected war of words between Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and […]

Labour minister must repair politics’ image

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Politics

Rudolf Hundstorfer has said that “clarity, transparency and comprehensibility” were needed to improve the reputation of Austrian politics. The Social Democratic (SPÖ) labour minister was asked to organise the activities of a special group of government members. The panel, which consists of SPÖ whip Josef Cap and People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner among […]

Opposition upset as government passes budget pact

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Politics

The opposition has turned its guns on the government over the latest savings package. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) hope to save around 28 billion Euros in the coming years thanks to the budget consolidation pact. The package was passed in parliament yesterday (Weds). The opposition did not approve the […]

Illicit funding of parties might soon mean prison

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Politics

The opposition wants to apply the criminal law for politicians engaging in the illegal subsidisation of their parties. The Greens, the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) welcomed such a suggestion of Günther Kräuter, the general secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). Kräuter said at the weekend that […]

Vienna SPÖ presents smart flats concept

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Politics

The Viennese government plans to offer affordable apartments to young families and singles who are on a low income. Viennese Social Democratic (SPÖ) Housing Councillor Michael Ludwig said at the SPÖ Vienna’s summit in Rust, Burgenland, yesterday (Thurs) that his department would create 2,000 “smart flats” within the coming two years. Ludwig said the apartments […]

City coalition wants people to create charter

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Politics

The Viennese government plans to create a charter for better coexistence in the city. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl said yesterday (Tues) that the Viennese Charter should be formulated by November. He appealed to residents of Vienna to participate in discussing which aspects should be considered by the document. Greens Vice Mayor Maria Vassilakou […]

Revival for rightist Hofburg Palace bash

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has been given the all-clear to host a ball at Hofburg Palace next year. The right-wing faction headed by Heinz-Christian Strache has been accused of failing to disassociate from right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis for decades. Several FPÖ parliament members (MPs) and high-ranking representatives of the party as well as spearheads of […]

MP Bucher Has A Recipe For Success

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Lifestyle

Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) leader Josef Bucher demonstrated his cooking skills at the weekend. The MP who is also a hotel owner told guests at the “Habsaburger von Eduard Mainoni” wine bar that if a politician could manage it – then it can’t be difficult.” The party’s regional coordinator Markus Fauland was […]

Stronach wants to fund political revolution

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Politics

A renowned businessman has explained why he is ready to financially support a new political movement. Frank Stronach, the founder of automotive industry giant Magna International, made headlines a few days ago by claiming to be determined to provide a new political party of young people with “a lot of money”. Now the Austrian-Canadian entrepreneur […]

Funding of KLU under close scrutiny

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Business

Carinthia’s busiest aerodrome may soon have to do without any subsidies. The European Commission (EC) announced yesterday (Weds) it started examining the funding policy of German provinces and the Austrian province of Carinthia. The authority’s competition regulation watchdogs want to find out whether airports which had not been subsidised by provincial governments and city halls […]