About: Heinz Christian Strache
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.
Austria’s ‘video crisis’ exposes poor treatment of media – media expert
In an interview with EURACTIV, Reporters Without Borders Austria President and distinguished journalist Rubina Möhring spoke about the effects of the controversial 'Ibiza video' and why Austria is getting ever so close to the Hungarian media model.
Video scandal won’t affect FPÖ’s showing in EU elections – Austrian law expert
In an interview with EURACTIV, European law expert Stefan Brocza explains why the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) could still achieve good results in Sunday's European elections, despite the unfolding scandal linking the party with a supposed Russian oligarch.
Austrian far-right ministers to resign en masse amid ‘Ibiza-gate’ fallout
All remaining ministers from Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) are to resign, a party spokesman said Monday (20 May), after one of them, Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, was fired in the fallout from a corruption scandal that has brought down the government.
European mainstream politicians see hope in downfall of Austrian far right leader
Politicians from Europe's mainstream parties called on voters to stand against the far right, after a video sting brought down the leader of Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), hurting the momentum of nationalists days before a European parliamentary election.
Austria scandal overshadows Salvini’s European nationalist rally
Italian populist leader Matteo Salvini on Saturday (18 May) gathered Europe's disparate nationalists for a unifying rally overshadowed by a major corruption scandal shaking Austria's far-right coalition.
Austrian far-right leader urges fight against ‘population exchange’
Austrian far-right leader Heinz-Christian Strache has asked voters to support his Freedom Party (FPÖ) in European Parliament elections and help counter migration flows that he called an unwanted "population exchange".
UK, Dutch spy agencies curb intel flow to Austria over Russia ties
British and Dutch spy agencies have heavily restricted the amount of intelligence they share with Austria, mainly because of ties between the ruling far-right Freedom Party and Russia, an Austrian opposition lawmaker said on Tuesday (9 April).
Smileys and selfies: Europe’s far-right tries to end divisions
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sends texts with smileys to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and posts selfies with Austrian far-right politician Heinz-Christian Strache.
Austrians protest FPÖ’s coalition with ‘fascists’
Thousands of protesters in Vienna braved snow and icy temperatures Saturday (15 December) to protest Austria's ruling coalition between the conservatives and the far-right a year after they came to power.
Commission regrets Austria’s decision not to sign the global migration pact
Austria will follow the United States and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration over concerns that it will blur the line between legal and illegal migration, the right-wing government told media on Wednesday (31 October). The EU Commission regretted the decision.
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.
Austrian far right invites Orban to form joint bloc
The leader of Austria's far-right party raised the prospect Monday (10 September) of forming a common bloc in the European Parliament with the party of nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Austria FM defends Putin wedding invitation
Austria's foreign minister defended on Monday (27 August) the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at her wedding, denying she had been used by him after photos of the two dancing fueled questions about her neutrality.
Austrian president warns against ‘small-state mentality’
With the informal meeting of the defense minister and then the foreign minister in the last week of August, the Austrian Presidency enters crunch mode. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Austria marks 80 years since Anchluss
Austria today (12 March) marks the 80th anniversary of its annexation by Nazi Germany, with the country's President Alexander Van der Bellen urging young people not to be "taken in" by neo-fascist and far-right ideologies.
Orban’s Vienna visit highlights Austria-Hungary comradeship
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said yesterday (30 January) that he aimed to ease east-west strains within the European Union, as his new right-wing government welcomed Hungary's incendiary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Vienna.
What lies behind Kurz’s defence of the far-right FPÖ
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz intends for his government to be "measured by its actions", just as Angela Merkel said it should be. Nevertheless, the young leader still has some explaining to do when it comes to his coalition partners. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria wants to cut family benefits for children living abroad
The new Austrian government intends to cut family benefits for workers whose children live abroad. With this, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache started implementing their election campaign promises at the first meeting of their Council of Ministers. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU bosses willing to give Austria’s new government a chance
European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said Tuesday (19 December) he had no bias against Austria's new government, which includes a far-right party, adding it would be judged on its actions. European Council counterpart Donald Tusk also withheld criticism.
Austria’s new government takes power
After two months of coalition talks with the far-right Austrian Freedom Party, Austria's Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz on Monday (18 December) finally formed a government. Of the 16 members of his cabinet, only one has previously had government responsibility - Kurz himself. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Many police, few protesters as far right enters Austrian government
Hundreds of police sealed off part of central Vienna yesterday (18 December) as Austria became the only western European country with a far-right party in power, but protests against the swearing-in proved small and largely peaceful.