Häupl wants government to be more bullish towards ‘amateur’ Strache

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Politics

Vienna’s Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl has called on the federal government to show more courage in defying the aggressive campaigning of Freedom Party (FPÖ) chairman Heinz-Christian Strache.Häupl told the Kurier newspaper today (Weds): “The government has to do better and more about communicating its achievements such as the battling of the financial crisis, […]

Right-wingers at odds over option to rule

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Politics

A severe party-internal rift is building up in the Freedom Party (FPÖ) after a far-right opinion leader questioned the party’s ability to rule.FPÖ Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Andreas Mölzer said in his internet blog he wondered “whether we will be able to give answers, create new concepts and carry out real reforms for […]

Russian leaders’ cockfight tarnishes Fischer visit

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Politics

More than 100 entrepreneurs are accompanying Austrian President Heinz Fischer on his state visit to Russia as firms hope to benefit from the prospering economy of the Eurasian country.Fischer, who met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday (Thurs), was welcomed by the country’s Prime Minister and ex-President Vladimir Putin today. The talks were overshadowed by […]

Turkish debate set to intensify over new immigration figures

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Politics

More than one out of five residents of Vienna are foreigners, statistics have shown.Federal agency Statistik Austria said today (Fri) the capital’s percentage of foreigners was 21.5 per cent while only 11 per cent of Austria’s populace have other nationalities than Austrian. The authority also explained that, with more than 368,000, around 40 per cent […]

Lack of reforms ‘will impoverish middle class’

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Politics

Austria’s middle class will impoverish if the country’s leaders fail to make any progress in reforming its bureaucratic, healthcare and pensions system, an opposition party chief has claimed.Josef Bucher, who heads the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ), told the Die Presse newspaper today (Fri): “If we keep carrying on this way, it […]

ÖVP rattled by rising rival party rumours

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Politics

Designated People’s Party (ÖVP) chairman Michael Spindelegger may be forced to change his party’s strategy as rumours about the looming foundation of a new party are growing.Newspapers report that Veit Sorger, head of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), considers setting up a new political movement. The businessman – who has hit out at the […]

Vienna public transport price reform ahead

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Politics

Vienna’s public transport pricing system will be reformed, Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl has confirmed.Häupl reacted to recent newspaper reports claiming that his party and the Greens will restructure the Wiener Linien ticket price scheme. The mayor said today (Weds) prices will be altered to make the system fairer and “more social.” He explained […]

Faymann defends aid for Greece

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) chief Heinz-Christian Strache accused the government of “dispossessing” Austrians of their assets and savings by supporting ailing Eurozone member Greece.The right-winger said in the federal parliament in Vienna yesterday (Tues) the coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) must stop offering any further support to the struggling Southern European […]

Slack study result for Spindelegger after Kurz controversy

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Politics

A controversial right-winger has higher approval ratings than new People’s Party (ÖVP) boss Michael Spindelegger.Research firm Karmasin found in a poll for magazine profil that 13 per cent of Austrians want Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ), head of the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ), to become the country’s next chancellor. Only 12 per cent say the same about […]

Austrian Muslims name new leader

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Politics

Thousands of Vienna-based Muslims will head to the polls this Sunday to elect a new representative of their community.Around 10,000 members of the religious community registered to participate in the ballot which marks the end of a round of votes across the country. Only 100,000 people will have taken part in all of the elections […]