Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann has claimed Austria would be worse off if the European Union (EU) allowed Greece to go bust. The Social Democrat once more defended the financial support for the debt-stricken Eurozone member in a TV interview yesterday (Sun). Faymann pointed out Austria was a country focusing on exports and must […]
A new anti-terror draft bill presented by the People’s Party (ÖVP) has sparked mixed reactions among opposition factions. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the ÖVP’s new interior minister, announced yesterday (Weds) she agreed with ÖVP Justice Minister Beatrix Karl that people who incite others to carry out terrorist acts should go to jail. The interior minister explained the […]
Anger as WWII ‘killer’ dies in Austria
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Austria has been branded as a “paradise for Nazis” after it emerged that an alleged war criminal deceased in a care home in Carinthia. A spokesman for a Caritas retirement centre in Klagenfurt confirmed newspaper reports claiming that Milivoj Asner passed away today (Mon). He said the Croat perished aged 98 in the institution last […]
A Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the Austrian parliament (MP) has waded into controversy by suggesting asking the Habsburgs to wave from the balcony of a tourism hotspot. SPÖ whip Josef Cap said in parliament yesterday (Thurs) members of the Habsburg family – who ruled vast parts of Central Europe for decades – could “wave […]
Terror travel suspect arrested
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People’s Party (ÖVP) Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner has revealed intentions to implement stricter laws after an alleged organiser of trips to terror camps in Pakistan was put in detention. The minister explained today (Fri) she will meet ÖVP Justice Minister Beatrix Karl for talks over the issue. Mikl-Leitner – who was sworn in last April […]
Many small children in Austria could soon be ordered to attend kindergartens for two years, the government coalition has said. People’s Party (ÖVP) Integration Issues State Secretary Sebastian Kurz suggested yesterday (Weds) to expand the current mandatory one-year kindergarten scheme to reduce the risk of many kids fall behind at school due to poor language […]
Government ‘to set up advisory council’
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The Austrian government plans to ask high-profile businessmen to join an advisory committee after a leading banker called politicians “stupid and coward.” Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Bank) boss Andreas Treichl’s attack kicked off an intense debate about the relationship of politicians and entrepreneurs last month. The banker – who nearly became federal finance minister […]
Srebrenica uncoverer may stay
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An award-winning journalist has been granted political asylum in Austria after a four-year legal battle.Jovan Mirilo helped the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands in investigating the Balkan War massacre in Srebrenica which occurred in 1995 by providing the institution with a video containing vital evidence in 2005. The […]
An art commission, set up by the Ministry of Culture, has recommended the Albertina Museum return five drawings by artist Egon Schiele to the descendents of their Jewish owner.Viennese Karl Maylander, who was deported to a Polish labour camp in 1941, was the original owner of the drawings by Schiele.The dealer knew Schiele before the […]
Accused ex Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader wants to be extradited back to Croatia.The former PM is currently being detained in Austria after he had been arrested in December on an international arrest warrant issued by Zagreb.Whilst in office in Croatia, Sanader was accused of abusing his power with cases involving state-run companies for millions […]