MEPs are clueless, says minister

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Politics

A conservative opinion leader has been accused of “having no idea” about the situation in his homeland after calling for more support for a budget increase of the European Union (EU). Othmar Karas, the head of the delegation of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) in the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg, France, recently said that […]

Disputed MEP faces fraud charges

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Politics

A controversial member of the European Parliament (MEP) could be in court for fraud later this year, it has emerged. Hans-Peter Martin made headlines by secretly filming MEPs of different nationalities and political movements to expose their alleged abuse of various privileges in Strasbourg, France, and Brussels, Belgium, where the European Parliament (EP) and the […]

Anger as male MPs avoid feminist anthem appeal

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Politics

Conservatives members of the federal parliament in Vienna (MPs) have been accused of acting “childish” after blocking a bid to change the lyrics of the national anthem. Maria Rauch-Kallat of the People’s Party (ÖVP) aimed to present a draft bill in her final speech as MP on Friday evening. She was scheduled to speak at […]

Cut promotion expenses to pay parliament renovation, says FPÖ

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has called on the federal government ministries to spend less on advertisements in order to help finance the nearing renovation of the parliament. The parliament – located in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district – must undergo extensive refurbishments in the coming years due to the derelict state of some areas of the […]

Hackers eye up next possible victims

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Politics

An internationally operating group of hackers who attacked the websites of two Austrian parties may soon strike again in the country. The Austrian department of Anonymous has asked via Twitter: “So who’s next? ÖVP? Grüne BZÖ?” The group invaded the internet representations of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who form a coalition with the People’s […]

Europe bemoans death of Otto Habsburg

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Politics

Otto Habsburg, the last heir to the throne of the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire and oldest member of the Habsburg family, has died at the age of 98. Habsburg “peacefully passed away” yesterday morning (Mon), his family announced. They explained all of his seven children were at his death bed in Pöcking, Bavaria, Germany. He will […]

Immigration up as debate fails to calm down

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Politics

Immigration is on the rise, new figures show. The federal interior ministry – which is headed by Johanna Mikl-Leitner of the People’s Party (ÖVP) – said today (Tues) that 114,000 people migrated to Austria while only 87,000 left the country in 2010. The ministry pointed out that only 107,000 settled in the country in 2009. […]

Hackers attack Austria’s political elite

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Politics

An internationally operating group of hackers have crashed the websites of two political parties in Austria. The homepage of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) depicted the logo of the group called Anonymous last night (Thurs/Fri). The internet representation of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the page of SPÖ Chancellor Werner Faymann were unavailable as well. Referring […]

Komorowski and Fischer to meet one year after ash cloud controversy

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Politics

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski will visit Austria later this month. The office of Austrian President Heinz Fischer announced today (Fri) that the former Polish minister of defence will arrive for talks in Vienna on 13 July. The presidential office explained Komorowski was also set to meet Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann, and the SPÖ’s […]

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 […]