The new governor of Vorarlberg has criticised the government for its “politics of announcements”. Markus Wallner of the People’s Party (ÖVP) – who succeeded Herbert Sausgruber as head of the western province in December 2011 – said yesterday (Thurs) the federal government coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and ÖVP must reset its course. He appealed […]
The opposition has turned its guns on the government over the latest savings package. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) hope to save around 28 billion Euros in the coming years thanks to the budget consolidation pact. The package was passed in parliament yesterday (Weds). The opposition did not approve the […]
The government wants to keep campaigning for a tax on financial transactions despite the German government’s policy shift. German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said earlier this week the attempts to implement such a levy in the European Union (EU) should be abandoned. Schäuble said there was a lack of support in […]
The opposition wants to apply the criminal law for politicians engaging in the illegal subsidisation of their parties. The Greens, the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) welcomed such a suggestion of Günther Kräuter, the general secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). Kräuter said at the weekend that […]
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has visited a school in Vienna. Davutoglu and Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger spoke with pupils and teachers of a secondary modern school in Vienna-Favoriten yesterday (Thurs). The families of around 25 per cent of the school’s students come from Turkey. The political scientist – who became […]
The government wants to reform teachers’ service law. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Education Minister Claudia Schmied and Finance Minister Maria Fekter of the People’s Party (ÖVP) reportedly agree that teachers should get higher wages in their first years on the job. Such measures would affect the incomes of new teachers but leave the salaries of people […]
The Viennese government plans to offer affordable apartments to young families and singles who are on a low income. Viennese Social Democratic (SPÖ) Housing Councillor Michael Ludwig said at the SPÖ Vienna’s summit in Rust, Burgenland, yesterday (Thurs) that his department would create 2,000 “smart flats” within the coming two years. Ludwig said the apartments […]
The vast majority of Austrians would appreciate the planned European Parliament (EP) voting law reform, according to a new study. The Austrian Society for European Policies (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Europapolitik, ÖGfE) announced today (Fri) that 60 per cent of Austrians wanted to elect the next president of the European Commission (EC) in a direct ballot. […]
Viennese Social Democratic (SPÖ) Health Councillor Sonja Wehsely has a fifty-fifty divide of the General Hospital’s (AKH) expenditures. Around two thirds of the costs of Europe’s largest clinic are currently covered by the city hall. The Republic of Austria comes up for the remaining part of the hospital’s budget. Wehsely said the state must compensate […]
The Viennese government plans to create a charter for better coexistence in the city. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl said yesterday (Tues) that the Viennese Charter should be formulated by November. He appealed to residents of Vienna to participate in discussing which aspects should be considered by the document. Greens Vice Mayor Maria Vassilakou […]