The political leaders of Austria’s provinces are at odds about the government’s debt limit decision. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger announced on Tuesday that the coalition decided to implement a so-called debt brake. The government is dependent on the support of at least one of the […]
Fewer surgeries will be carried out at Austria’s biggest clinic if the government does not invest more, doctors have warned. The Federal Chamber of Doctors and the works council of Vienna’s General Hospital (AKH) said yesterday (Mon) fewer nurses would be on night duty in the coming months due to the financial situation. They warned […]
The Viennese government may have saved 300 jobs by ordering 20 new underground trains. Bombardier Austria boss Germar Wacker warned yesterday (Mon) his company would be put under immense pressure if the city kept delaying to express the confirmation of an assignment vital to its factory in Vienna-Donaustadt. He explained that the capital’s government intended […]
Federal Railways (ÖBB) works council boss Wilhelm Haberzettl has decided to retire. The Social Democrat (SPÖ) announced on Saturday it was “time for a change. Younger talents should come forward.” Haberzettl said he would quit as head of the ÖBB staff representation on 22 November. The 56-year-old left-winger added he had no plans to retire […]
An influential Viennese district chief is thwarting his own party’s attempts to reform the city’s prostitution law. Neubau leader Thomas Blimlinger said today (Fri) he rejected the Greens’ decision to create one of the five areas where street sex trade would be allowed soon in his district. The agreement between his party and the Social […]
Viennese Mayor Michael Häupl has said his party’s cooperation with the Greens is a “reasonable alternative offer” to voters who consider backing right-wingers. The head of the Viennese branch of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) told the Kurier today (Thurs) people should think about what else might be possible in Austria apart from a […]
Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest against China’s stance on human rights and democracy as Heinz Fischer welcomed Hu Jintao at Hofburg Palace in Vienna this morning (Mon). The Austrian president discussed economic issues with his Chinese counterpart as they met for the first time since Fischer went on a state visit […]
A private competitor of Federal Railways (ÖBB) has claimed it would operate between Graz and Salzburg given that it gets as much financial support as the state-owned rail firm. Westbahn said yesterday (Sun) ÖBB received five million Euros in public funds to offer a connection between the Styrian capital and Salzburg. According to Westbahn, ÖBB […]
Federation of Industries (IV) chief Veit Sorger has warned that yesterday’s (Tues) metal industry salary negotiations agreement would “intensify the pressure on companies to rationalise.” Sorger is quoted by the Kurier as saying that the agreement – under which the 165,000 workers will get 4.2 per cent more from November – was a “great burden” […]
Struggling Hypo Group Alpe Adria (HGAA) withdraws from nautical leasing operations in Southeast Europe. The bank – which is currently trying to restore its finances after being nationalised in 2009 – said around 320 leased HGAA vessels were currently operating, down from 700 in 2008. International consulting company PriceWaterhouseCoopers claimed in 2009 that 400 HGAA […]