ÖVP focuses on core group as critics attack Kurz

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Politics

New People’s Party (ÖVP) General Secretary Hannes Rauch has said his party must stop trying to meet a majority’s demands.The Tyrolean told the Kurier newspaper today (Thurs): “We have to leave the idea behind us that we have to satisfy 60 or 70 per cent. The ÖVP is a party with many members. We have […]

Spindelegger takes over from Pröll

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Politics

Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger is set to become the new chairman of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP).The board of the party – which forms a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) on federal level – unanimously chose Spindelegger in a meeting this morning (Thurs). The panel was pressed to act after Finance Minister Josef Pröll […]

Fischer ‘impressed’ by Singapore

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Politics

Austrian President Heinz Fischer has made his second visit to Asia within four months.Fischer, who met with Malaysia’s political elite last November, was welcomed by leading politicians and businesspeople in Singapore yesterday (Mon) and today. The former vice chairman of the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who is currently serving a second and final term […]

Spindelegger visits ‘partner’ New Zealand

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Politics

A delegation formed of Austria’s political and economic elite is currently meeting with decision-makers in New Zealand.Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) President Christoph Leitl are heading the Austrian group who are currently on the island in the south-western Pacific Ocean.Spindelegger, who will meet New Zealand National Party […]

Spindelegger sees revolution in Egypt

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Politics

Austrian ÖVP (People’s Party) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said today (Mon) that a revolution was occurring in Egypt.He added that it was important for the European Union to react with a view to the future since no one could know what the end result would be and it was still uncertain whether there would be […]

Spindelegger meets German leaders

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger met with Germany’s political elite today (Fri).Spindelegger was welcomed by German President Christian Wulff at Bellevue Palace in Berlin in the morning before meeting with Bundestag MPs and the country’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) later in the day.The ÖVP official’s office explained […]

Austria to close embassies

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said he has been “forced” into closing some Austrian embassies due to cutbacks ordered by his ministry for the coming years.The minister said today (Mon): “I have not got any other option than closing some embassies.”Spindelegger refused to reveal how many Austrian representations abroad will be shut and […]

Spindelegger says Sudan must cooperate to avoid civil war

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger has appealed to his Sudanese counterpart Ali Ahmed Karti to increase measures avoiding a civil war breaking out in Darfur.Spindelegger said Austria – currently a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – had “great interest” in the wellbeing of the thousands of refugees living in the […]

Minister unharmed after double plane tyre blow-out

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger had a narrow escape as two tyres of a plane he was on burst during the start procedure.A spokesman for the ministry said today (Weds) neither Spindelegger nor any of his team were injured in the incident which occurred at the an airport in Czech capital Prague Airport […]

Anger as Iranian Minister ignores Holocaust query

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Politics

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki failed to speak out about the Holocaust in Vienna yesterday (Sun).Mottaki met with Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger for talks in which Austria warned the Iranian regime of possible sanctions by the United Nations (UN) over the country’s controversial uranium enrichment programme.Asked by an Israeli journalist […]