Record-low participation tarnishes Fischer victory

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Politics

Incumbent president Heinz Fischer’s clear victory in yesterday’s (Sun) presidential elections was overshadowed by a record-low turn out.Around 50 per cent of Austrians stayed away from the polling booths as almost 79 per cent of the 6.3 million Austrians entitled to vote supported the former Social Democratic (SPÖ) science minister.The Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) Barbara Rosenkranz […]

‘Jelly politics’ attack as Kogler named Styrian Greens front runner

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Politics

Greens Graz Vice Mayor Lisa Rücker claimed the big two parties would make “wobbly jelly politics” as her party named Werner Kogler front runner for autumn’s provincial election.MP Kogler was revealed as the party’s top candidate for the 26 September vote after Jörg Martin Willnauer surprisingly resigned.Willnauer announced over the weekend he had decided not […]

Strache feels ‘confirmed’ by Islam poll results

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache said results of a survey showing a vast majority of Austrians believed Muslims would “not stick to the rules” in Austria confirmed his party’s policies.Strache said yesterday (Weds): “It is important to carefully observe current and future development. The development of ‘parallel societies’ must be stopped.”The right-winger added it […]

Strache called a ‘Nazi’ in video on SPÖ member’s blog

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) general secretary Herbert Kickl has called for consequences after a rapper called FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache a “monstrosity” in a clip discovered on the private homepage of an SPÖ official.Kickl announced today (Mon) he expected the incident to have consequences for the SPÖ member, while Heribert Donnerbauer of the People’s Party (ÖVP) […]

FPÖ claims Fischer tries to distract from real problems

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) accused incumbent president Heinz Fischer of trying to distract from other issues as he called for a reform of the president’s legislature.Fischer suggested over the weekend that the federal president’s legislative period could be extended to eight years with no possibility of running for a second term in office.The legislature of […]

Wifo expert calls for new state social aid system

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General News

Vienna think tank the Institute for Economic Research (Wifo) has called for a new state social aid system with “productive elements.”Wifo expert Alois Guger said today (Thurs) social infrastructure providing for care of the aged and children was more important than financial aid to individuals.Vienna Social Democratic (SPÖ) social councillor Sonja Wehsely added that provision […]

Pressure on Faymann as Pröll is ahead of chancellor in poll

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Politics

The pressure on Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann is increasing as new research reveals he has been overtaken by People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll in popularity.Research firm Karmasin found out 27 per cent of Austrians would support Pröll if they could elect the chancellor by direct vote but only 24 per cent […]

SPÖ under fire as majority want 24-hour U-Bahn

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Politics

Vienna opposition party leaders have attacked the ruling Social Democrats (SPÖ) after it emerged that the majority of residents taking part in a referendum back a 24-hour underground train service at the weekend.SPÖ Councillor Sandra Frauenberger announced today (Tues) around 54 per cent of people participating supported of an around the clock U-Bahn service on […]

More than eight in ten want tougher dog laws

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General News

More than eighty per cent of Austrians want tougher dangerous dog laws, a new survey has shown.Pollsters Oekonsult interviewed 1,117 people for its research as a referendum over whether a so-called dog keepers’ licence should be introduced starts tomorrow (Thurs) in Vienna.The Oekonsult poll shows 83 per cent of the questioned backed “restrictive law changes […]