Steinbrück attacks Austrian government over budget delay

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Politics

Former German Social Democratic (SPD) Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück has criticised the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) for holding back information on the 2011 budget after two provincial elections took place.The Austrian SPÖ government and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) controversially announced it would wait until December to reveal possible higher or new taxes and cuts. […]

SPÖ-FPÖ talks a short-lived affair

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache has accused the Social Democrats (SPÖ) of “ignoring people’s desires” after talks about a possible cooperation in the city parliament of Vienna were ended after barely an hour.Strache said today (Fri)that the SP֒s Viennese branch would continue its “politics of isolation” towards the FPÖ despite having suffered massive losses […]

Heads will roll as SPÖ and ÖVP lick their wounds

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Politics

Several decision-makers of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) are facing the chop after the federal coalition partners were badly beaten in last Sunday’s Vienna election.The SPÖ lost its absolute majority in the 100-member city parliament, dropping from 49.1 per cent to 44.6 per cent. The party is now forced to […]

Häupl tops popularity poll as FPÖ swings to the far right

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Politics

Only one in 10 Vienna residents would have supported Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache in a direct mayoral election, research has shown.Pollsters ISA/SORA found 10 per cent would have backed the right-winger in such a ballot, while 38 per cent said they would have supported incumbent Vienna Social Democrats (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl. People’s […]

Right-wing triumph in Vienna shocks federal coalition partners

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Politics

The Social Democrats (SPÖ) lost their absolute majority in the Vienna city parliament for the second time since World War Two while the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) celebrates massive gains.The SPÖ garnered 44.2 per cent yesterday (Sun), down from the 49.1 per cent it won five years ago.The People’s Party (ÖVP) failed to remain the […]

Strache promises more anti-mosque action as Vienna set to vote

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache has vowed to press on with a referendum against possible new mosques in Vienna after Sunday’s city parliament election.The right-winger said today (Fri) he expected Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl to step down if the SPÖ loses its absolute majority in seats in the upcoming ballot. Häupl has […]

Vienna vote has its battle of the comic books

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Politics

The Viennese Social Democrats (SPÖ) have presented their own election campaign comic after cartoons created by the Freedom Party (FPÖ) caused outcry last month.The city’s SPÖ – who has a majority of city parliament seats – today (Weds) officially presented their own comic book which has already been handed out to potential voters in discos […]

SPÖ makes shock U-turn on conscription

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Politics

Leading Social Democrats (SPÖ) have spoken out in favour of a referendum about conscription in what is regarded as a sensational U-turn on the issue.SPÖ Vienna Mayor Michael Häupl suggested yesterday (Mon) people should decide on whether young Austrians should still have to serve in the army. Around 25,000 men aged 18 or 19 receive […]

No BZÖ-FPÖ cooperation in Vienna, says Sonnleitner

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Politics

Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) Vienna city parliament election front runner Walter Sonnleitner has ruled out cooperating with the Freedom Party (FPÖ).Sonnleitner said today (Tues) he agreed with federal BZÖ leader Josef Bucher not to form a coalition with the right-wing rivals after Sunday’s (10 October) Vienna vote.The former business journalist for national […]

Majority want ÖIAG axed, poll shows

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Business

More than six in 10 Austrians want a dissolution of the Austrian industry-holding stock corporation (ÖIAG), according to a poll.Researchers IFES said today (Mon) 61 per cent supported a possible shutdown of the body, while 30 per cent backed its continued existence.The future of ÖIAG and responsibilities has been publicly debated by the Social Democrats […]