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 […]

AUA passenger numbers up sharply

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Business

Austrian Airlines (AUA) seems to be back on the road to recovery as it continues to serve more and more customers.AUA said today (Mon) it had 1.1 million passengers last month, up by 11.2 per cent year on year. The airline – which was taken over by Lufthansa last year after it was on the […]

Fekter under fire as eight-year-old twins deported

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Interior Minister Maria Fekter is in hot water after she called the deportation of eight-year-old twin sisters “correct and family-adequate”.Dozens of officers from the special police unit WEGA on Wednesday surrounded the refugee home in Vienna as Dorentinya, Daniela and their dad Augustin awaited the decision about whether they were allowed to […]

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 […]

Disabled woman beats robbers with crutch

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General News

A physically disabled pensioner defended herself and scared off would-be muggers with her crutch on Tuesday, police announced today (Thurs).The 70-year-old woman, who has difficulties walking, got out of a car outside a doctors’ office in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district while her carer looked for a parking lot.Two people – a man and a woman – […]

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 […]

ÖBB offices raided over slush money suspicion

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Business

Offices of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and the apartments its of ex-managers were raided last night (Mon) amid suspicions of bribery connected to the takeover of a Hungarian railway company.The Viennese Anti-Corruption Prosecution announced today (Tues) it was asked by Hungarian officials to assist in investigating the case regarding ÖBB’s acquisition of MAV Cargo. The […]

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 […]

Injured man goes home after hit by car

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General News

A pedestrian hit by a car was found being looked after by his wife following an accident in Upper Austria this morning (Mon).The 48-year-old man was thrown against a car windscreen when the driver failed to spot him and ploughed straight into the man as he was walking his dog Marchtrenk in the early morning […]

Top congress popularity poll result as Vienna vote nears

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Politics

The Viennese Social Democrats’ (SPÖ) bid to retain their absolute majority in Sunday’s provincial election has received a boost as the city has been found the most popular congress destination in the world.The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced today (Mon) Vienna topped the ranking – for which participators of conferences all over the […]