People’s Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Maria Fekter has apologised after comparing today’s criticism of bankers with the Nazis’ persecution of Europe’s Jewish community. The federal minister warned on Friday current developments could escalate to “what resulted in wars twice.” Fekter said after a meeting of the European Union’s (EU) ministers of finance in Wroclaw, Poland: […]
Tag: SPÖ
Former Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer has dismissed a suggestion by his successor on how Europe’s politicians could get the continent’s volatile economic situation under control. SPÖ head and Chancellor Werner Faymann said the federal government and state leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member countries should meet more often to debate how […]
Almost 2,800 surveillance cameras have been set up at council houses in Vienna in the past three years, city officials announced yesterday (Weds). Social Democratic (SPÖ) Housing Councillor Michael Ludwig said 2,769 camera systems were installed at the so-called Gemeindebau housing estates which have been subsidised and managed by the city since autumn 2008. The […]
No Turkish private school for Tyrol
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A Tyrolean town has rejected a group of Turkish businesspeople’s appeal to run a school. A commission formed by Rum Town Hall officials announced yesterday (Tues) it unanimously agreed to veto the endeavour. Turkish investors and retail trade entrepreneurs asked decision-makers whether they could create and manage a private school. The group aimed at setting […]
President’s tax appeal upsets ÖVP
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Federal President Heinz Fischer has been criticised for backing calls for higher taxes on assets. The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the federal parliament (MP) said yesterday (Sun) he worried about the social peace and balance in the country. Fischer said he would like to put the opinion that Austria’s rich must not be […]
Schüssel quits over TA scandal
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One of the country’s most influential politicians of the past 20 years has stepped down. Wolfgang Schüssel announced today (Mon) he decided to retire as member of the federal parliament (MP). The move comes after increasing pressure on the former chancellor in connection with alleged fraud and stock market value manipulation carried out by former […]
The new heads of Viennese public transport provider Wiener Linien have remained tight-lipped about a possible reform of prices. Newspapers have been speculating for months that some tickets will become dearer in a few months’ time to allow the city government coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Greens to implement cheaper annual passes which currently […]
New MQ boss named
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An Upper Austrian real estate manager has been appointed as head of Vienna’s Museumsquartier (MQ). Federal Social Democratic (SPÖ) Culture Minister Claudia Schmied and Viennese SPÖ Culture Councillor Andreas Mailath-Pokorny announced yesterday (Weds) Christian Strasser would head the MQ for five years from 1 October. His contract can be extended without public submission, they explained. […]
Vienna to increase public service fees
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Services provided by the city of Vienna to its residents will become more expensive in less than half a year, it emerged yesterday (Weds). The capital’s government coalition of Mayor Michael Häupl’s Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Viennese Green Party said services like waste disposal and tap water supply will cost around six per cent […]
Healthy school snack bid presented
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Health Minister Alois Stöger has presented an initiative aimed at tackling young Austrians’ unfavourable nutrition habits. The Social Democrat (SPÖ) announced yesterday (Weds) school canteen managers will be provided with free brochures and further guidelines on how to provide a healthy and balanced range of snacks and drinks to kids. Around one in 10 Austrian […]