About: Austria
Austria’s Kurz quits politics, stirring political turmoil
Former chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced his departure from the political stage on Thursday (2 December) by resigning from all his political posts. His resignation will lead to a cabinet reshuffle, and potentially, a new chancellor.
‘Jabbed, cured or dead’, Germany warns as Europe battles COVID surge
Germans faced the stark warning Monday (22 November) that they would be either "vaccinated, cured or dead" from Covid by the end of winter, while Austria returned to a partial lockdown as Europe battles a fourth wave of the pandemic.
Austria ready to sue EU over nuclear’s inclusion in green finance taxonomy
Austria’s energy and climate minister Leonore Gewessler told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview that her country was ready to go to court if the EU decides to include nuclear power into the bloc's taxonomy on sustainable finance.
Austria introduces lockdown for the unvaccinated
Austrians who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine, around 25% of the population, will be placed into a fully-fledged lockdown from Monday (15 November). But according to experts, additional measures will soon be needed to combat the rise in infection rates.
Five EU countries form anti-nuclear alliance at COP26
In face of a French-led push to revive nuclear power in Europe, a group of five EU countries led by Germany have banded together to urge the European Commission to keep nuclear out of the EU's green finance taxonomy.
Austria to also rely on Huawei in 5G rollout
Austria is on course to expand its 5G network, using Chinese supplier Huawei despite other countries refusing to partner with them and some going as far as banning the company due to supposed security risks. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Polexit, Kurz resignation and the ‘historic’ international tax regime
This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on possible 'Polexit' and tensions with the EU following a Polish court's ruling that EU treaties were unconstitutional.
Austrian Chancellor Kurz resigns over corruption allegations
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced his resignation on Saturday evening (9 October) over corruption allegations and a looming government crisis. Experts say that he will act as a shadow-chancellor and might return to office once cleared of the allegations.
Czech PM says ‘no place’ for Afghan refugees in Europe
There is no place for Afghan refugees in the European Union which should instead help them to stay in their homeland, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Tuesday (7 September).
Austria wants to limit refugee influx from Afghanistan and Parisians could swim in the Seine
This week our podcast focuses on a security conference organised by Austria with the Central Asian states to discuss further strategy regarding Afghanistan. Austria and other EU countries are asking Afghanistan’s neighbours to manage migrations flows and prevent a potential...
Taliban would take back Europe’s Afghan deportees to face courts
The Taliban government in Afghanistan would accept any Afghan migrants whose applications for asylum were rejected in Europe and they would then face court, an Austrian newspaper quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying on Monday (30 August).
Austrian organic farmers fear being left behind in national CAP plan
Organic assocations and environmentalists have voiced their concerns about Austria's plan to transpose the EU's new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), pointing to the risk of leaving organic farms behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU to start talks on security, migration amid Afghanistan turmoil
The European Union will kick off discussions this week on what consequences recent developments in Afghanistan may have for security and migration in the 27-nation bloc, a spokesman for the Slovenian EU presidency said on Monday (23 August).
Austria calls for ‘deportation centres’ to host Afghans near Afghanistan
Austria, which has insisted that it plans to keep deporting illegal immigrants back to Afghanistan even as the Taliban seized Kabul, on Monday (16 August) suggested setting up "deportation centres" in nearby countries as an alternative.
EU Commission presses for overhaul of asylum rules as Taliban enter Kabul
The crisis in Afghanistan and the actions of Belarus demonstrate the need for a fast overhaul of the European Union's migration and asylum rules, EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas said on Sunday (15 August).
Schrems has Facebook data processing in sights for next coup
After notorious data activist Max Schrems already brought down the EU-US Privacy Shield data transfer agreement, his next coup could turn Facebook's entire data processing upside down. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Schrems spoke about his new case against the tech giant and the impact it could have.
Austrian court refers Schrems’ Facebook complaint to EU Court
Austria's Supreme Court has asked the EU Court of Justice for clarification on the legality of Facebook's processing of personal data after data protection activist Max Schrems brought a case before it. The Court in Luxembourg will now decide whether the US giant respected the GDPR since it came into force in 2018.
Germany urges end to Middle East violence as EU calls talks
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Sunday (16 May) it is "imperative" for Israelis and Palestinians to stop fighting and resume talks ahead of an emergency meeting this week with his EU counterparts.
EU countries squabble over 10 million extra doses of Pfizer vaccine
EU nations fell out Thursday (1 April) over how to divide up 10 million extra doses of coronavirus vaccine, with Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic refusing to help five struggling countries.
Israel, Denmark, Austria agree deal for vaccine development
Leaders from Israel, Austria and Denmark announced Thursday (4 March) in Jerusalem an alliance for the development and production of future generation coronavirus vaccines, a deal that has already sparked criticism in Europe.
Israeli critics warn EU against legitimising Palestinian ‘vaccination apartheid’
A group of prominent Israelis have warned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz not to cooperate with Israel on vaccines, citing what they termed vaccination “apartheid” vis-à-vis the country’s Palestinian population.
Leapfrogging gas: how geothermal could help eastern EU countries ditch fossil fuels
Geothermal energy could help central and eastern Europe break away from coal and gas, but it needs a quicker uptake and government backing to help meet renewable energy targets, advocates say.
Austria presents its anti-Semitism strategy
Austria presented its anti-Semitism strategy on Thursday (21 January). It is ambitious, but feasible, says one expert. EURACTIV Germany reports.