Graf questions decision to kick out Königshofer

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Politics

Bosses of Austria’s strongest right-wing faction are struggling to settle an intense party-internal dispute which experts say poses a risk to its grasp for power. Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache and Norbert Hofer, Strache’s deputy, recently announced that member of the parliament (MP) Werner Königshofer will be expelled over a string of controversial claims. […]

Netrebko reveals restaurant plans

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Culture

Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott have said they want to open a restaurant. The opera stars told magazine News today (Thurs) that their endeavour will probably take place in the Austrian capital Vienna. “We are of the opinion that other things apart from opera must not be neglected. We will do this out of passion. […]

Faymann pursues no-show policy

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Politics

Political opponents and some fellow party members are expected to turn their guns on Social Democratic (SPÖ) chief Werner Faymann once more as the chancellor skipped an arranged meeting with the president of Poland. Faymann was expected to welcome Bronislaw Komorowski for a brief chat at his office in Vienna on Wednesday. However, the meeting […]

Komorowski and Fischer to meet one year after ash cloud controversy

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Politics

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski will visit Austria later this month. The office of Austrian President Heinz Fischer announced today (Fri) that the former Polish minister of defence will arrive for talks in Vienna on 13 July. The presidential office explained Komorowski was also set to meet Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann, and the SPÖ’s […]

Ex-Rapid coach penalised for gay slander

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Sports

Former Rapid Vienna manager Vlatko Markovic has been fined 10,000 Euros for claiming that he “never met a gay person as only healthy people play football.”The 74-year-old president of the Croatian Football Association played for Viennese team Wiener Sportklub in 1965 before coaching 32-time Bundesliga champs Rapid in the 1985/1986 season.He also angered activists and […]

Russian leaders’ cockfight tarnishes Fischer visit

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Politics

More than 100 entrepreneurs are accompanying Austrian President Heinz Fischer on his state visit to Russia as firms hope to benefit from the prospering economy of the Eurasian country.Fischer, who met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday (Thurs), was welcomed by the country’s Prime Minister and ex-President Vladimir Putin today. The talks were overshadowed by […]

Frosty reception for Turkish president

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Politics

A party founded by late right-winger Jörg Haider has caused a diplomatic rift by announcing that the Turkish president “is not welcome” in Austria.The Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) was established by Haider in 2005. The party said yesterday (Mon) – when Abdullah Gül started a three-day visit to Austria – that the […]

Right-wingers angered by ‘monarchist’ Fischer

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has questioned Federal President Heinz Fischer’s approach to democracy over controversial statements in a recent interview.Fischer – a former Social Democratic (SPÖ) president of the federal parliament and science minister – told the Kurier newspaper some days ago that he would not have to inaugurate FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache as federal […]

Ex-First Lady dies of cancer

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Politics

Former First Lady Edith Klestil has passed away.The ex-wife of late President Thomas Klestil died last week, Viennese newspapers reported today (Mon). The 78-year-old mother-of-three had suffered from cancer of the lymph glands since 2006.Edith Klestil moved out of the presidential villa in Vienna-Döbling in 1994 before filing for divorce four years later. Thomas Klestil […]

Foreign ministry lifts Egypt travel warning

Categories
Politics

The Austrian foreign ministry has abandoned its partial travel warning for Egypt.The ministry said today (Tues) it would still appeal to Austrians not to travel to sparsely frequented areas where the country borders with Sudan and Libya. The authority however warned tourists from going there already before the most recent protest movements – which resulted […]