The government is facing friendly fire after revealing plans to slash the parliament’s number of seats. The Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and its coalition partner, the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), said earlier this month the parliament should feature just 165 delegates instead of the current 183. The reform could come into effect after the next […]
Tag: reform
Social Democratic (SPÖ) whip Josef Cap has said he is optimistic about strong support for a reform of the parliament by all represented factions. The long-time member of parliament (MP) said today (Fri) he was certain that the opposition would approve plans for a reduction of the federal parliament too “if the concept is convincing”. […]
Michael Häupl, the mayor of Vienna, has spoken out against a political reform affecting the presidential office. The head of Vienna’s Social Democrats (SPÖ) said yesterday (Tues) the functions and responsibilities of the president of the Republic of Austria could only be changed by holding a referendum since the position’s duties and responsibilities were part […]
Vienna U6 hesitation may axe 300 jobs
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Hundreds of jobs may be at risk if the Viennese government refuses to give the go-ahead for a 66-million-Euro assignment, according Bombardier Austria head Germar Wacker. The Viennese government coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Greens puts the order for 20 underground trains on hold to evaluate the assignment again due to empty city coffers. […]
Viennese police arrested five people in the first night of a new law regulating prostitution. A spokesman for police forces in the city said today (Weds) that five people were put in custody last night. He added that 40 men and women could face charges for breaching various regulations of the legal initiative which was […]
Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) boss Josef Bucher has called for a drastic reform of political structures in the countryside.The right-winger claimed today (Mon) smaller towns and communities should be forced to merge to avoid the financial collapse of the country. Bucher whose appeal comes after various newspapers and magazines as well […]
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has postponed the introduction of a controversial new return ticket system after being flooded with hundreds of complaints.The debt-stricken company reduced the validity period of return tickets from one month to just two days for trips of 100 kilometres and more in December. Reports have it that ÖBB failed to inform […]
Support for end of conscription wanes
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Support for the abolition of mandatory military service in Austria is in decline, a new poll has shown.Vienna-based agency Karmasin found only 41 per cent of Austrians oppose the current six-month obligatory service, down from 48 per cent in July.The agency, which spoke to around 500 Austrians for political magazine profil, further found that 44 […]