Herbert Vytiska

Austrian Parliament doing everything to appease voters
The free play of forces in Austria’s parliament is now leading to a string of different alliances between Austrian parties, who are attempting to come up with the perfect programme to appease voters. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
Austria’s interim chancellor will have little say on EU top jobs
Austria will be represented by interim Chancellor Bierlein at the forthcoming EU special summit on Sunday (30 June). However, because she does not belong to any political party, the interim head of government will not be able to stand out with her own, pronounced opinion. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
Austria’s interim chancellor won’t block the majority on EU top jobs
Federal Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein won't ask for special favours at an EU summit next Sunday (30 June) aimed at appointing the new President of the European Commission, except when it comes to one thing: Austria's next EU Commissioner. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
Austro-German road-charging debacle reignites pan-EU toll debate
After the EU Court of Justice ruled against Germany's plans to introduce a highway toll, the debate about an EU-wide motorway toll has once again been ignited. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska.
Strache prepares his political comeback following Austrian corruption scandal
The guessing games have come to an end as Austria's former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache announced on Monday (17 June) he will remain politically active in Vienna and won't take up his MEP seat in Brussels. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
Austrian socialists and right-wing populists doing poorly in polls
Austria's government of experts is now in place. Now the question arises: when should a new government be elected? An analysis by Herbert Vytiska.
Family benefits: Austria in dispute with the EU
Since the beginning of the year, Austria has been working towards adapting family allowances to the costs of living of the employee’s home countries. The EU criticised the government of Vienna – but it has countered. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria plans €1.50 hourly wages for asylum seekers
The Austrian government wants to introduce a uniform hourly wage of €1.50 during the first three months following an asylum application. However, opposition parties and charities vehemently oppose this. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria deports refused refugees in training and education
Refugees in Austria who are refused asylum are rigorously deported, even if they are halfway through their training or education. There are now appeals from the Austrian economy to Chancellor Kurz. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria: Interior minister wants tighter right of asylum
Austria is debating a host of measures proposed by the interior minister intended to tighten the right of asylum, so that procedures could be quicker and asylum-seekers checked more strictly. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German car toll and deportation law stokes EU criticism in Austria
A European Court of Justice decision on Germany's controversial motorway toll and a proposed tightening of deportation laws for asylum seekers has stoked the ire of Austrians over the past week. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Kurz eyes Egypt’s El-Sisi as migration ally
This week’s Africa-Europe Forum in Vienna may have been officially focused on ‘digital policy co-operation’, but Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi used the opportunity to talk about migration control.
Elections in Hesse: Austria’s Conservatives see confirmation of their political course
Germany and Austria elected new parliaments a year ago. Since then, the governing parties in both countries have progressed very differently, as the regional elections in Hesse illustrated once again. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Austrian view of the Bavarian election
Bavaria has voted. In neighbouring Austria, the result of this regional election is seen as providing confirmation of the political course taken in Austria after its own national elections last year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria expresses concern at UN’s global compact for migration
190 states have agreed on a global compact for migration, which should be signed in December. However, some countries including Austria, have concerns. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Rendi-Wagner wants to move Austrian social democrats to the centre
In Austria, Pamela Rendi-Wagner is the new woman leading the social democrats. But what does the largely unknown doctor stand for? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austrian Chancellor: Europe needs to understand Israel’s security needs
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz gave prominence to interesting issues during his recent visit to Jerusalem and emphasised the security needs of the Israelis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria’s Sebastian Kurz – conservative and pro-European
With Sebastian Kurz, the EU can count on a pro-European partner in the new Austrian government. And expect a policy that is based on conservative values, but also willing to reform. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austrian Socialists on verge of breaking far-right coalition taboo
The Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) is on the verge of breaking a long-standing taboo on forming political alliances with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria and Germany call on EU to close ranks
A meeting between the Austrian and German foreign ministers in Vienna yesterday (27 February) revealed where the two countries are aligned and where they aren’t on the same page. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria steps up legal case against Eurofighter
Austria may broaden its legal proceedings against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium to US and British courts over a dispute involving the purchase of combat aircraft. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria’s planned full-face veil ban provokes debate on crucifixes in schools
The Austrian government's planned ban on full-face veils has naturally encountered resistance. But it's not the only religious symbol that is coming under scrutiny, as the display of crucifixes in kindergartens and schools also faces fresh debate. EURACTIV Germany reports.
San Marino suffers its own election upset
Protest parties are garnering more and more support across Europe. Even one of the world's smallest countries, San Marino, is not exempt from the trend. EURACTIV Germany reports.