About: Wolfgang Sobotka
Austria can be ‘sparring partner for sustainable parliamentarism’
The new president of the Austrian parliament, Wolfgang Sobotka, has announced that he wants to work more closely with the institutions in Strasbourg and put more focus on historical awareness. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Austria threatens crackdown on illegal dual citizenship holders after Turkey vote
Over 100,000 eligible-to-vote Turks live in Austria. It is estimated 10% of those hold illegal dual citizenship. Austria's interior minister wants to take action against this following Sunday's (16 April) Turkish referendum. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria moves to formally ban Erdogan from campaigning on its soil
Austria's parliament is set to decide on whether or not to formally ban foreign politicians from campaigning on its territory. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Refugees returning to ‘tried and tested’ North African route
Compared to 2015, the number of refugees who tried to enter the European Union last year decreased significantly. Aktuálně reports.
Austria attracts member state interest in its refugee policy
This year, Austria expects to welcome fewer refugees than it predicted it would. The Vienna government wants to lower its upper limit on new arrivals as a result and it's a policy that has attracted the attention of other EU countries. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria delays presidential election re-run after postal ballot snag
A re-run of Austria's presidential election scheduled for next month has been delayed, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said on Monday (12 September), after some postal voters complained of faulty seals on ballot papers.
Austria’s interior ministry could postpone new presidential vote
Austria's Interior Ministry said on Friday (9 September) it was considering postponing the re-run of a presidential election that is scheduled for 2 October on technical grounds after ballot papers for postal voting turned out to be damaged.
Austria threatens non-compliant Hungary with legal action
Austria has threatened Hungary with legal action if the Central European country does not start abiding by EU refugee laws. Budapest remains unmoved. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria, Denmark and Sweden move towards tougher asylum rules
Austria has taken its next, albeit small, step towards introducing tougher rules on immigration that will allow it to turn away asylum seekers at its borders within an hour and also to cap the number of asylum requests it accepts.
A year on, no business as usual at Austrian border
It's holiday season at Nickelsdorf on Austria's border with Hungary as families hit the highway. But although the huge numbers of refugees seen here a year ago have gone, things are far from normal.
Austria on brink of reaching self-imposed refugee limit
Austria's much-admonished annual limit on refugees could be met by mid-August at the current rate of intake. The country has already welcomed over 50% of the 37,500 figure it set for 2016, with an increase in new arrivals predicted for the coming weeks. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Juncker calls Brenner controls ‘political catastrophe’
Austria imposing controls on its border with Italy would be a "political catastrophe" for Europe, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Saturday (7 May).
Commission to give green light to extension of border controls
The European Commission wants to give Germany and other member states the option of extending internal border controls beyond the middle of May. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Italy and Austria reach agreement to keep Brenner pass open
Italy and Austria yesterday (28 April) played down tensions that flared after Austria said it might reintroduce border controls at the Alpine Brenner pass to keep migrants from coming from Italy.
Ban Ki-moon attacks Austria’s ‘restrictive’ asylum policies
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke in front of the Austrian parliament today (28 April) and called upon the international community to find a solution to the refugee crisis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs urge Juncker to stand against Austria border fence
Leading MEPs have urged European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to take a position against Austria’s plans to erect a fence at its border with Italy, at the Brenner pass.