Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest

Ukraine Looking for Alternative Gas Suppliers

Gas supply from Europe to Ukraine may stimulate pricing of Russian import.

July 8, 2013

OeNB Favors Examination of Bad Bank for Hypo

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has, according to Govenor Ewald Nowotny, requested to examine models for the establishing of a bad bank for Hypo Group. This was announced by Nowotny on Monday

July 8, 2013

Poland: Opposition Strengthens Front-Runner Position

According to a recent poll, conservative opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) has intensified its lead over ruling centrist Civic Platform (PO).

July 8, 2013

Kapsch TrafficCom as Only Bidder in Slovenia.

Slovenia has cancelled the tender for the construction of an electronic toll system for trucks.

July 8, 2013

Orban Accuses European Union of “Soviet-style Methods”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the “troops of bureaucrats" who were unable to solve the economic crisis in Europe and who were now trying to denounce Hungary, which was on the road to recovery again.

July 5, 2013

Turkey: Government Alleged to Have Known About Project Fail

A week before the forceful clearing of Gezi Park in Istanbul, the Turkish government was supposed to know about the fact that it had lost before court with its constructions plans. Protests went on, despite of that.

July 5, 2013

OMV Continues Expansion in Norway

OMV has been awarded six additional offshore exploration licenses in Norway, acting as operator for two of them.

July 5, 2013

Austria: Moderate Economic Upturn

After one year of a phase of stagnation, the Austrian economy shows recovery, according to the results of economic indicator by the OeNB (Austrian National Bank).

July 5, 2013

Bolivia: “We Don’t Need a US Embassy“

Bolivian President Morales is still infuriated over the flight incident and considers closing of US embassy in La Paz. He is supported by his counterparts from Venezuela and Ecuador.

July 5, 2013

Bulgarian Interior Ministry Going Bankrupt over Mass Protests

According to Interior Minister Tsvetlin Iovchev the security of the public order at the protests has cost the taxpayers BGN 3m.

July 5, 2013

Hypo: Greens vs. Fekter

The debate about a Hypo Group has turned out a genuine match between deputy chief of the Austrian Green Party Werner Kogler and Finance Minister Fekter.

July 4, 2013

CEE Slowly Escapes Economic Crisis

Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic have slipped into recession. Experts are particularly worried about the newest EU member.

July 4, 2013

Visegrad Four Support Ukraine’s EU Integration

At the V4 summit in Wisla/Poland Slovak President Gasparovic announced yesterday that the V4 countries are interested in Ukraine’s successful European integration, particularly in signing the Assciation Agreement with the EU.

July 4, 2013

Poland: Last Cut in Interest Rate In 2013

Base rate down to new all-time low.

July 4, 2013

Moody’s: Turmoils In Bulgaria Will Not Affect Fiscal Stability

According to rating agency Moody's, the ongoing political turmoil in Bulgaria is not expected to negatively affect the country's fiscal stability.

July 4, 2013

CESEE: GDP Growth in 2013 Weakest Since 2009

CESEE financial markets influenced by global liquidity debate.

July 4, 2013

Diplomatic Uproar After Bolivian Emergency Landing in Vienna

After the allegedly forced stop of in Austria, Bolivian President Evo Morales has returned to his home country. International criticism arises, also in regard to Austria’s actions.

July 4, 2013

Turkey: Court Forbids Reconstruction of Taksim Square

Controversial construction project led to protests and brutal police force.

July 3, 2013

Slovenia: Trying to Make a Difference

The crisis measures approved by Brussels are partially starting to make an impact. Since July 1, the higher tax rate of 22 percent is binding. However, the country does much more than just raise taxes.

July 3, 2013

Bank Austria to Close 67 Subsidiaries

UniCredit Affiliate Bank Austria plans to close 67 subsidiaries – a quarter of its 270 stores for private costumers until 2015.

July 3, 2013

EU Commissioner Open for Extension of Deadline for Hypo Group

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia presented himself open to the extension of the winding-down of Hypo Group.

July 3, 2013

Alpine: Serbia to Withdraw from Contract

Serbia intends to withdraw from the building contracts for the construction of a highway with bankrupt Alpine within the next 15 days.

July 3, 2013

Hungarian MOL to Invest $ 38m in Romanian Exploration

Hungarian oil and gas company MOL plans to invest $ 38m in the exploration and production of hydrocarbon resources in Western Romania.

July 3, 2013

Vienna: Bolivian President Allowed to Continue Journey

Bolivan President Evo Morales had to land in Vienna after several European countries – among them Spain, France and Portugal – refused the right to overfly.

July 3, 2013

Fekter: Kranebitter „Weary of Office“

Hypo CEO Kranebitter resigns and settles a score with the Finance Ministry in an open letter. He decided to step back after three and a half years because “major parts of the work were damaged”.

July 3, 2013

Orban Attacks European Parliament

Prime Minister Orban claims that members of the EP would apply double standards on Hungary.

July 2, 2013

Rosneft to Take Over Itera Completely

Russian oil producer Rosneft has taken over gas corporation Itera completely and now wants to compete against energy giant Gazprom.

July 2, 2013

Poland To Enhance Supervision Over State Companies

Around twenty state-controlled enterprises will be watched more closely.

July 2, 2013

Alpine Holding: Insolvency Proceedings Now Official

The insolvency proceedings for Alpine Holding have now officially started at the Commercial Court in Vienna. Liabilities come at € 700m.

July 2, 2013

Croatia To Issue Licenses for Exploration of Oil and Gas

Croatia plans to issue lucrative concession for the production of oil and gas from 2014 on.

July 2, 2013

Abramovich Withdraws from Politics

Abramovich resigned from office as speaker of the parliament of the Koryakia Autonomous District.

July 2, 2013

Erste Group Successfully Completes EUR 660.6 Million Accelerated Bookbuild Offering

Issue size of the capital increase: 35,231,353 new shares at a final subscription and offer price of EUR 18.75 per share.

July 2, 2013

Snowden Applies For Asylum in Austria

Former US intelligence official Edward Snowden has applied for asylum in several countries, among them Austria, according to WikiLeaks.

July 2, 2013

No End to Protests in Bulgaria

Demonstrators demand the resignation of the government and early elections.

July 2, 2013

Hypo Group: CEO Kranebitter Steps Back

Kranebitter announced to stay until the half-year accounts are published. On Monday it became known that the ailing bank will in all likelihood require more state aid than planned.

July 2, 2013

Hypo Group: CESEE Units to be Sold Until Mid-2015

The threatened compulsory sale of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the EU Commission until the end of this year, was, according to information by the Finance Ministry, fended off. An additional burden of € 2bn might await the Austrian taxpayers.

July 1, 2013

Putin Offers Snowden Right to Stay

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered fugitive IT specialist Edward Snowden a right to stay as long as he will not further harm the US.

July 1, 2013

Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected

According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.

July 1, 2013

Alpine: 2,600 Jobs Secured

Social Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer assumes that a lot of Alpine employees will continue to be employed. Former CEO Schiefer announced that Alpine was “clinically dead” when he took over management in April 2013.

July 1, 2013

New Protests Against Government in Bulgaria

Demonstrators demand elections again.

July 1, 2013

TAP to Deliver Greece, Italy and CESEE

Shah Deniz targets Italian and Southeastern European gas markets through Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

July 1, 2013

Slovenia: Privatisations to Attract Investors

15 companies set for privatisation in Slovenia.

July 1, 2013

Faymann: Croatians Realistic With EU Membership

Austrians have a positive attitude towards Croatia’s new membership.

July 1, 2013

Hypo Group: Government Hopes For Expansion of Deadline

The restructuring plan for Hypo Group has been handed in to Brussels. It is still unclear whether the deadline will be expanded.

July 1, 2013

Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period

In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.

June 28, 2013

Turkey Becoming Important Global Investor

According to the latest survey by UNCTAD, Turkey has become an important investor.

June 28, 2013

Austria: So Far Three Construction Companies Involved in Take-Over of Alpine

1,800 employees of bankrupt Alpine can feel relieved. In all probability three Austrian construction companies (Habau, Swietelsky and Hinteregger) will be involved in the regional rescue solution.

June 28, 2013

Austria: WIFO and IHS to Adjust Growth Perspectives Downwards

Experts at the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) and the Institute for Higher Studies (HIS) have significantly cut their prognoses for the growth of domestic economy in 2013. However, both institutes are still optimistic for 2014.

June 28, 2013

Latvia Joining The Eurozone As 18th Member

Today the heads of states and governments of the European Union gave their blessing to Latvia’s entry to the Eurozone in 2014.

June 28, 2013

Austrian Public Debt to Rise Further

Quarterly government debt first quarter 2013: € 231.6bn or 74.2 % of GDP.

June 28, 2013