Ackerl wants party to veto EU financial rescue bids

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Politics

The Social Democrats (SPÖ) are in turmoil after a provincial department chief has suggested blocking European decisions to increase chances of the introduction of a new levy. SPÖ Upper Austria boss Josef Ackerl said yesterday (Weds) the federal party board should veto European Union (EU) actions considering debt-stricken members like Greece. Ackerl argued Austrians would […]

Leitner calls for CEO pay cut

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Business

A leading Social Democrat (SPÖ) has suggested business bosses should not earn more than the president. Josef Leitner, who heads the SPÖ’s branch in the province of Upper Austria, said today (Thurs) CEOs of companies in which the state holds stakes could have their wages cut owing to the volatile economic climate. The left-winger argued […]

Crackdown on fare dodgers in Vienna

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General News

Fare dodgers are in for a tough time, Viennese public transport agency Wiener Linien has warned. The company said today (Tues) it has drastically increased the number of checks on passengers. Wiener Linien staff asked more than 2.3 million passengers for their tickets in the first three months of this year. Fewer than three per […]

Waving Habsburg appeal angers conservatives

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Politics

A Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the Austrian parliament (MP) has waded into controversy by suggesting asking the Habsburgs to wave from the balcony of a tourism hotspot. SPÖ whip Josef Cap said in parliament yesterday (Thurs) members of the Habsburg family – who ruled vast parts of Central Europe for decades – could “wave […]

Economic ties at risk due to Turkey-bashing, says Vranitzky

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Politics

Franz Vranitzky has expressed doubts whether Austrian businesspeople feel represented by the country’s politicians due to their “inexplicable bashing of Turkey.”The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) chancellor said today (Fri) it was “not plausible” why Austria has made itself the “spearhead” of European countries opposing a Turkish accession of the European Union (EU).”I just don’t understand […]

More holidays appeal falls on deaf ears at WKO

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Business

A works council chief has caused a stir by calling for more vacation days for Austrians.Wolfgang Katzian, head of the labour union of private employees GPA-djp, said today (Tues) Austrians deserved an additional week off each year. The Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the federal parliament argued such a move would mean a win-win situation […]

Top investor Austria criticises Croatia

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Business

Businessmen have slammed the economic circumstances in Croatia as Austria aims to remain the busiest investor in the Southeast European state.Burgenland Economy Chamber chief Peter Nemeth said today (Thurs) Croatia’s political system “hasn’t arrived in the present yet” due to bureaucratic barriers for entrepreneurs interested in investing in the country. He added that he considered […]

Smoking kills 14,000 every year

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General News

Around 14,000 people succumb to smoking-related diseases in Austria each year, health experts have said on yesterday’s (Tues) World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).The World Health Organization (WHO) explained around 5.5 million people die from such causes all over the world a year. The international institution made aware of the life-threatening aspects of passive smoking as […]

Häupl wants government to be more bullish towards ‘amateur’ Strache

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Politics

Vienna’s Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl has called on the federal government to show more courage in defying the aggressive campaigning of Freedom Party (FPÖ) chairman Heinz-Christian Strache.Häupl told the Kurier newspaper today (Weds): “The government has to do better and more about communicating its achievements such as the battling of the financial crisis, […]

ÖVP rattled by rising rival party rumours

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Politics

Designated People’s Party (ÖVP) chairman Michael Spindelegger may be forced to change his party’s strategy as rumours about the looming foundation of a new party are growing.Newspapers report that Veit Sorger, head of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), considers setting up a new political movement. The businessman – who has hit out at the […]