Political decision-makers in Lower Austria have presented plans to change a controversial ruling which allows small breeds like Chihuahuas and dachshunds to be declared as guard dogs.Peoples Party (ÖVP) official Karl Bader announced today (Mon): “Some people registered their lapdogs as watchdogs as the law is unclear. That is why we plan to change the […]
Federal President Heinz Fischer has claimed he is “deeply hurt” by the governments decision to slash its development aid spending from next year.However Fischer, who attended the 2011 budget speech by Peoples Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Josef Pröll in the federal parliament in Vienna today (Tues), also stressed that he had understanding for the planned […]
Plans to turn Mariahilfer Straße, one of Viennas most popular shopping streets, into a pedestrian area would be well received, a poll has shown.More than six in 10 (60.3 per cent) readers of the Austrian broadcaster ORFs news website back such an idea, whereas around 35 per cent oppose it. Votes are still coming in […]
Slovenian President Danilo Türk has appealed to European Union (EU) leaders to speed up accession talks with Turkey.The former United Nations (UN) assistant secretary-general said today (Weds): “Im totally in favour of Turkey becoming a member of the EU. The negotiations have been going on way too slowly.”Türk told Austrian daily Kurier that prejudices towards […]
An up-and-coming right-winger has been elected as executive chief of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the city parliament of Vienna.Johann Gudenus received unanimous support by the party board in a summit in Mauerbach near Vienna today (Weds). Gudenus will lead the FPÖs delegation in the city parliament after the partys 10 October election campaign front […]
Austria has not yet given the green light to transfer its December rate to fellow European Union (EU) member Greece, it has emerged.Peoples Party (ÖVP) leader and Finance Minister Josef Pröll announced today (Tues): “Statistics give no reason to hand over the money from an Austrian point of view.”Pröll argued that figures have shown that […]
Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache has vowed “resistance” as the Viennese Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Greens have agreed to cooperate in the city parliament.The right-winger said today (Fri): “We will fight this horrific experiment, of course.”Strache, whose party garnered almost 26 per cent in last months city ballot, also announced plans to hold […]
The Turkish ambassador in Vienna will not be removed from office despite stressing he would relocate the United Nations (UN) from Vienna were he leader of the international organisation.Turkish newspapers reported today (Fri) that the countrys government had no plans to dismiss Ambassador Kadri Ecvet Tezcan. The 61-year-old took over as Turkish ambassador in […]
European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn has appealed to colleagues to “think three times” before slashing subsidies for the European Unions (EU) weaker economies.The Peoples Party (ÖVP) politician said today (Thurs): “The EUs regional policy measures are an important aspect in creating growth. Thats why it would be counter productive to cut subsidies […]
The Turkish ambassador in Vienna has been branded an “arrogant nationalist” for claiming Austrians were only interested in other cultures when on holiday.Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache said today (Thurs) Kadri Ecvet Tezcan should be dismissed from his post after he gave interview to Viennese newspaper Die Presse which made headlines across Europe.Strache, whose […]