About: Austria
Global spread of coronavirus raises pandemic fears
Fears mounted on Monday (24 February) that the coronavirus outbreak in China will grow into a pandemic with disruptive and deadly consequences for countries around the world, after sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran.
Austria and Germany: A harmonious couple, at odds on EU issues
Austria's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (3 February). While the atmosphere was harmonious, the two did not meet eye-to-eye on several EU issues, including the budget and proposals to revive Operation Sophia. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Could SPÖ’s Burgenland win be beacon of ‘red hope’ for Austria’s social democrats?
In Burgenland's state elections, socialist Hans-Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) won the absolute majority, bringing a ray of hope to the Austrian socialist party which has suffered a multitude of defeats recently. One would think the party could learn something from this, but a party insider thinks this is unlikely. EURACTIV Germany reports.
High hopes as Austria’s new night train sets off for Brussels
The first night train to set off for Belgium in 16 years departed from Vienna Sunday (19 January), carrying Austrian and European politicians who hope the new route can set an example as the continent tries to meet its climate targets.
Austria and V4 agree on everything but nuclear
The leaders of the V4 group met on Thursday (16 January) in Prague’s renovated national museum to discuss migration, border security, competitiveness, enlargement and climate. The newly appointed Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, also in attendance, said he wanted to “fight”...
Could FPÖ’s new ‘modern’ strategy save Austria’s populist party?
Austria's right-wing populist party FPÖ has launched a rebranding exercise with the aim of becoming a "modern right-wing conservative party", EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austrian Green MEP: Gas is a better transition alternative to coal than nuclear
The new government in Vienna will aim for “an end to nuclear energy” in the EU, Thomas Waitz told EURACTIV Slovakia. The MEP-elect and Green Party negotiator also calls on the EU to acknowledge that Poland will need financial support in the transition away from coal.
‘We wanted to stop the right-wing authoritarian trend,’ says Green Austrian MP
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Green Austrian MP Lukas Hammer spoke about his party's negotiations with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) while drafting the coalition agreement and why his party took the risk of accepting tough migration policies in exchange for increased climate protection.
Austria’s new conservative-Green coalition enthusiastic about climate and Europe
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has formed what is now his second ruling coalition, this time between his conservative ÖVP party and the Greens, replacing the interim government of experts. Although the new government is set to make Austria a climate pioneer, there are question marks as to how long the new alliance is likely to last. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austrian Greens likely to join government coalition, shape priorities
Austria's Green party is expected to join the government for the first time, with negotiations already underway. After Sebastian Kurz's ÖVP party governed alongside the Eurosceptic far-right group FPÖ from 2017-2019, this could now prompt a change in Austria's foreign and EU policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
SMEs are key to climate protection, says Austrian businesswoman
After having represented the interests of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for four years, Ulrike Rabmer-Koller takes stock, in an interview with EURACTIV Germany, of her successes and discusses her ambitions looking forward in the fight against climate change.
Austria on course to become first EU country to ban glyphosate
Austria is set to be the first EU country to ban glyphosate, having completed the EU’s single market notification procedure on Friday.
Belarus leader defends rights record during Austria visit
Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko defended his isolated country's human rights during a visit to Austria Tuesday (12 November), as he seeks closer ties with the European Union amid tensions with Russia.
Belarus leader visits Austria, seeking closer EU ties
Belarus's isolated leader Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday (12 November) visits Austria, marking his first trip to an EU member in more than three years as he seeks closer ties amid tensions with Russia.
Austria’s Kurz on quest to form government coalition
Sebastian Kurz, Austria's conservative Chancellor who was re-elected on 30 September after being ousted in May, has been meeting with potential coalition partners. With the Austrian Freedom Party preferring to join the opposition and the social democrats still hesitant, the Greens may become a new partner. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria committed to preserving environment, says sustainability minister
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Austria's Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, Maria Patek, spoke about her country's involvement in the European Green Belt Initiative, as well as her country's role as mediator for the various European environmental projects.
Kurz, Greens emerge as big winners of Austria’s snap election
After months of political turmoil, Austrian voters on Sunday (29 September) gave former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz a clear mandate to reclaim power with 37.1% of the votes while Kurz’s former coalition partner, the far-right FPÖ, lost by a wide margin. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Debate rages in Austria over enshrining use of cash in the constitution
It may sound like a strange thing to enshrine in a country's constitution: the right to pay cash. But a debate on whether to do just that has entered Austria's election campaign, shining a light on the country's love of cold, hard currency.
Austria’s Kurz does not oppose coalition with far-right
Austria's former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and leader of the conservative party is not excluding the idea of re-establishing a coalition with the country's far right, he said in an interview with the Austrian public broadcaster ORF. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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.