A right-wing member of the federal parliament (MP) has retired from politics after coming under fire for belittling a massacre. Fellow Freedom Party (FPÖ) members and left-wing competitors hit out at Werner Königshofer after he felt urged to emphasise that the “Islamic threat has struck Europe a thousand times more often” than self-styled Christian warriors […]
The Green party wants a public opinion poll in the current tax debate. The Green’s spokesperson Werner Kogler said at a press conference today (Fri) that a public opinion poll was necessary to end “red-black stagnation” meaning SPÖ and ÖVP. Furthermore the Greens demanded polls on abolishing mandatory military service and an anti-corruption law. The […]
Tram drivers could soon be obliged to help young mothers, it has been reported. Die Presse reports today (Thurs) that bosses of Viennese public transport provider Wiener Linien are currently holding talks with staff representatives over a possible reform of rules applying to drivers of trams. They do not have to assist women with baby […]
The Viennese People’s Party (ÖVP) is infuriated after the city government decided to slash the budget of a cultural event it has been hosting for years. The Stadtfest is a tradition-rich series of concerts, performances and readings taking place in the city centre of Vienna. It is organised by the ÖVP. The conservative party formed […]
The Austrian Economy Chamber (WKO) has become the latest victim of a hacking attack. WKO confirmed yesterday evening (Tues) that its webserver was infiltrated by unidentified cyber criminals. More than 6,000 data sets of customers of the chamber were published on the internet. Most of the records contain information about clients of WKO’s real estate […]
Public transport users in Vienna are infuriated as several ticket machines have failed to accept their bank cards. Using bank cards to pay for tickets is currently impossible at an undisclosed number of machines at stations across the city, public transport agency Wiener Linien confirmed yesterday (Tues). The company explained that the error had to […]
Alfred Gusenbauer has revealed details of his engagement at one of the best universities in the world. The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) chancellor told newspaper Die Presse yesterday (Mon) he was about to become a permanent lecturer at Harvard University. The institute – which is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States – is […]
Five times more students will start courses at Austria’s universities when the semester starts next week than in 1970, statistics have shown. Official data presented by Statistik Austria on Wednesday revealed that more than 265,000 people will study at the country’s universities and colleges in the upcoming semester. This is a strong increase compared to […]
A new survey has revealed a significant potential for conflicts between Austrians and foreigners. A poll by the Centre for Future Studies of Salzburg’s FH higher education college shows that 53 per cent of Austrians considered the change that existing difficulties in the coexistence of themselves and immigrants could worsen as “very high”. Around 45 […]
A traffic researcher has been named Vienna’s new ambassador for cycling. The city government of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Green Party decided to create the position to increase the share of cycling in the capital from the current five to six per cent to 10 per cent by 2015. The coalition announced yesterday (Tues) […]