News
Russia-Ukraine War: A Former Diplomat Explains
The Russian leadership of 2022 has built its own version of history, including a perceived threat from NATO, to justify its actions.
News
How You Can Support Ukraine from Vienna
Below you will find ways you can help Ukraine, from offering accommodation to dropping off relief supplies or learning more about what you can do tha...
Business
The Way the World Works: Economics vs. Reality
Here: A cost-of-living-crisis in England, the US, some parts of Europe, because energy prices have risen by around 50% and cost-of-living index by ar...
International
Russian Roulette – the Kremlin’s Game in Ukraine
With renewed discussions on the Minsk Accords scheduled for 17 February, a look at the unintended “accomplishments” of Putin’s aggression
Coronavirus
Covid Update from Austria and the World
February 6, 2022
Here is my COVID-19 update again. Worldwide, we are currently at about 394 million official SARS-CoV-2 infections and 5,753,000 o...
Coronavirus
Latest on Omicron: Europe Facing Rising Infection Rates in Most Countries
Metropole brings you regular COVID-19 update from Prof. Dr. Florian Krammer, an Austrian virologist who works and teaches at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City.
General
Mapping Austria’s Media Landscape
A look at Austria's complex system of quality media, tabloid papers and government funding – and how it is evolving.
News
Not So Silent Night for ÖVP, Engulfed in Another Corruption Scandal
At the centre of this investigation: ÖVP insider Thomas Schmid, investor Siegfried Wolf and a dubious tax remission of €630,000.
Books
Stefan Zweig, A Global Phenomenon
In this special exhibition, the Literaturmuseum explores how both Stefan Zweig and his stories travelled across the world.
Diplomacy
Iran Allows Reinstatement of IAEA Surveillance Cameras
The IAEA's Rafael Mariano Grossi asserted the agency's political neutrality amid hopes that the Iran nuclear deal might be revived.
News
Government Passes Eco-Social Tax Reform
Everything you need to know about the tax reform passed on Wednesday, a signature project of the turquoise-green coalition.
Features
The Ongoing Controversy Over Austrofascism, Explained
An explanation of the complicated history behind a small museum, the new interior minister and the collective memory of Austrofascism.
City Life
5 European Christmas Traditions To Discover in Vienna
From sharing a royal cake to speaking with animals: Here are five European Christmas traditions to get you in the mood for holiday season!
News
Karl Nehammer Presents Himself as Reliable Chancellor
The new chancellor Karl Nehammer also has confirmed that the coronavirus lockdown will end on the coming weekend. "The opening will take place". It was only a question of how.
News
Frustrations Explode Over COVID Measures
More than 40,000 took to the streets of Vienna on Saturday to protest the ongoing lockdown and the planned vaccine mandate.
Coronavirus
Right-Wing Freedom Party’s Fake News About Hospitals Full of People With “Vaccine Damage” Causes Out...
Right-wing Freedom Party Dagmar Belakowitsch caused outrage by claiming that hospitals are filled with people with vaccination "damage".
News
GUEST ANALYSIS: What Sebastian Kurz Did – And Didn’t – Do For The ÖVP
Under Kurz, the ÖVP’s success was so unprecedented that the party appeared inseparable from him. That was an illusion.
General
Corruption Allegations Against EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn
The French newspaper "Liberation" raises serious allegations against Austria's EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
News
Government Reshuffle: Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) to Become Austria’s Next Chancellor
Following Sebastian Kurz’s withdrawal from political life and chancellor Alexander Schallenberg’s offered resignation, a substantial government reshuffle is taking place.
Vienna News
The Latest News from Austria & Vienna: GDP in Austria Above Pre-crisis Level
All the latest news from Austria & Vienna – short, concise, and in English.
News
Sebastian Kurz Announces His Retreat From Political Life
Embattled former chancellor says he is stepping back from politics to spend time with his newborn; remains confident the ÖVP will continue to succeed.
Long Reads
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler Cancels Lobau Tunnel Construction Project
Vienna's controversial Lobau Tunnel project has been cancelled. While the mayor and others condemn the move, environmental activists rejoice.
Diplomacy
Austria (and Vienna) Have High Quality of Life But Unfriendly Locals: Expat Insider Survey
Every year, the InterNations' Expat Insider surveys thousands of expats all over the world, who score their new home countries across several categor...
Coronavirus
Omicron Variant of Corona Virus Confirmed in Austria
Omicron is officially in Austria. With vaccine protection and virulence unconfirmed, PCR tests are being upgraded to help track the spread.
News
Mirabell Mozartkugel Manufacturer Begins Insolvency Proceedings
The manufacturers of Mozartkugeln have applied for insolvency and hope to keep operating; meanwhile, the Chamber of Labor has stepped in to support unpaid employees.
News
Energy Prices Shoot Up in Austria
As the economy recovers, demand is driving energy prices up – increasing heating bills as well as the cost of other goods and services. Austria is encouraging people to heat homes with renewables.
Features
How Did Nikolo and Krampus End Up Together?
Every year on December 6, St. Nicholas surprises Austrian children with presents - while Krampus threatens with whips. How did this unlikely pair end up working together?
International
Foreign Ministry Trying to Get Austrians Back From Africa
In view of the new coronavirus mutation Omikron, Austria is trying to get them around 200 registered Austrians who are currently on vacation in southern Africa back home.
News
A Battle of Wills Over Possible School Closures in Austria
With sky-high coronavirus levels among children and youth, virologists and educators differ on possible school closures.
General
Moscow Announced the First Meeting of Sergei Lavrov and Linhart
In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Linhart said that he was looking forward to getting to know his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov personally.
Cafés and Restaurants
How To Celebrate Thanksgiving in Vienna (Despite Lockdown)
Just because you're a long way from home doesn't mean you can't enjoy Thanksgiving in Vienna - even during a lockdown.
General
Talks About Nuclear Inspections in Iran “Without Result”
Despite all efforts, the negotiations and talks about nuclear inspections were without result. Inspectors have not been given access to IAEA surveillance cameras and to a workshop for uranium centrifuges for months.
General
319 Femicides in Austria Within One Decade
New research says most victims know the perpetrators - and usually have family ties. Perpetrators need to be punished "with the full force of the law", stated Minister for Women's Affairs Susanne Raab.
Coronavirus
Nationwide Lockdown Begins Monday; Mandatory Vaccines from 2022
Austria announced a nationwide lockdown starting Monday, as well as the introduction of mandatory vaccines from 2022.
News
Corruption Probe Continues: Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s Immunity Lifted
Parliamentary immunity was lifted for Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), under investigation for alleged bribery and corruption in the tabloid scandal.
Business
Vienna’s Business Immigration Office Helps Foreign Workers Get Residency and Work Permits
The City of Vienna has brought MA 35, AMS and the Vienna Business Agency’s Expat Center under one roof in what consultant Friedrich Bruckner calls a major “cultural shift”.
News
COP26 Roundup: Austria’s Climate Commitments at the UN Summit
Austria's climate commitments, while significant, do not include a phasing out of fossil fuels. Activists say much more is needed to keep global heating in check.
General
Minister Elisabeth Köstinger Invites Neighbouring Countries to Tourism Talks
"We all want a safe winter season for our guests, so joint regulations between the involved countries are necessary and sensible", said Minister for Tourism Elisabeth Koestinger.
Coronavirus
Get Your Booster Shot Now!
On Sunday, Metropole brings you a COVID-19 update from Prof. Dr. Florian Krammer, an Austrian virologist who works and teaches at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City.
Coronavirus
Austria-Wide Lockdown Starting Midnight, Vaccine Boosters in Vienna After 4 Months
A country-wide lockdown for unvaccinated people will go into effect at midnight - and other updates.
News
EU Economic Forecast Sees Upturn in Austria
The European Commission sees higher-than-expected GDP growth in Austria in 2021, but the impact of coming corona measures remains unclear.
News
Environmental Corruption in Styria: State Prosecutors to Investigate
Styrian authorities face allegations of environmental corruption: The businesses behind large-scale construction projects may have been allowed to write their own environmental impact reports.
Health
Depression in Austria Nearly Doubled Since 2019, Says OECD Study
In the pandemic year of 2020, twice as many people reported symptoms of depression - in fact, more than one in five.
General
Insolvencies on the Rise in Austria – But Still Better than 2019
According to data from Statistics Austria, 754 insolvencies were reported in the third quarter of 2021, 24.2 percent more than in the third quarter o...
General
Interior Minister Nehammer to Visit Israel
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) is due to meet with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, with whom he will visit the Knesset.
Interviews
INTERVIEW: Vienna-Based Team Engineer Coronavirus “Super Antibodies” in a Tobacco-Related Plant
Dr. Herta Steinkellner’s work could lead to a new, effective treatment for COVID-19 – and demonstrates the power of plants to produce highly complex human proteins.
General
At the UN Climate Summit, Austria Pledged to End Deforestation by 2030. What Does That Mean?
Austria manages its own forests carefully, but consumer appetites for soy, beef and palm oil still contribute to global deforestation.
Health
Women and Poverty: Caritas Demands Living Wages and Support
1.22 million people were at risk of poverty in Austria. According to government figures, this was 13.9 percent of the population.
News
Low Public Trust in Media After Advert Affair, Says Survey
A survey conducted by the Gallup institute and the Medienhaus Vienna found that public trust in media has plummeted following recent political scandals.
News
Forest Fires in Lower Austria May Take Until Next Week to Put Out
Forest fires on a mountainside in Lower Austria started last week and may not be extinguished until the weekend, despite continuous firefighting efforts and international support.
News
Eco-Social Tax Reform to Drive Economic Growth in Austria
Economic think tank WIFO says the planned tax reform will drive growth in Austria, which should outperform the Eurozone from 2022-2026.
Long Reads
One Year After the Vienna Terror Attack of 2020, Most Austrians Not Afraid of Another Attack
One year on, two-thirds of Austrians are not expecting further terror attacks. At the same time, the government intensifies its activities targeting “political Islam”.
News
Climate Crisis Needs Global Solutions, Says Schallenberg
When speaking about the climate crisis at the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Alexander Schallenberg reminded everyone that we all need to act together.
Bosnian in Vienna
Should Bosnians Be Recognized as a Minority in Austria?
With 150,000 people of Bosnian descent in Austria, the community is one of the biggest of the country. Efforts are now underway to get Bosnian Austrians officially recognized by the law as an ethnic group.
Cafés and Restaurants
The Heuriger Tradition: Four of the Best
Unique to Austria, traditional wine taverns serve each year’s new vintage with a simple buffet, amid the timeless pleasures of convivial conversation among friends. Many are excellent. Here are four of the best Heuriger in and around Vienna to try.
News
GRUMPY OPINION: Down With The Hallowieners!
Not everyone in Austria loves Halloween. As editor Binu Starnegg a.k.a. Grumpy McPartypooper would like to explain.
News
Austrian Businesses More Optimistic in October, Says Economic Think Tank
The WIFO Business Climate Index shows that the Austrian businesses are more optimistic this month, despite the pandemic
News
NEOS Accuse The ÖVP of “Systemic Corruption”
The opposition NEOS party has accused the center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) of "systemic corruption" following multiple scandals and the resignation of Sebastian Kurz as chancellor.
News
Motorway Expansion at Odds With Climate Goals, Say Austrians
Most Austrians consider motorway expansion and other highways development to be at odds with climate goals: 63% are in against it.
News
Trains Could Replace 80 Percent of Short-Haul Flights
A Greenpeace report shows most European short-haul flights can be easily replaced by train journeys - and calls for some routes to be banned
News
Van Der Bellen on Climate Change: “I Will Not Be Quiet”
President Van der Bellen spoke on the importance of fighting climate change in his traditional televised speech on Austrian National Day, October 26.
Coronavirus
Anti-Vaccine Party MFG Positions Itself Across Austria
The anti-vaccine party entered the Upper Austrian assembly during the regional elections in September and now plans to run nationwide.
News
Austrian Defense Minister Criticizes the EU
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner criticized the EU and called for more action on a Common Security and Defence Policy
News
Austrian Army Game Offline Because of Right-Wing Symbol
A video of a soldier with a far-right symbol on his helmet found its way into an Austrian army online game. The game has been taken offline.
News
Vaccination Palace at the Hofburg: A “Little Jab” at the President’s Office
Around 300 people were vaxxed against corona on Austria's National Day - most of them for the first time - in the "vaccination palace."
Health
Criminal Law Discriminates Against HIV Patients, Experts Say
Austrian AIDS organisations have called for a de-stigmatisation of HIV-positive people in the criminal justice system.
News
“People Want to Change”: 70,000 Climate Tickets Sold
On Oct. 26, Austria-wide "climate tickets" for trains and other public transportation go into effect - with 70,000 sold already.
News
New Polls: Majority of Austrians Against a Comeback for Chancellor Kurz
Two new polls show most Austrians don’t want Sebastian Kurz back in the federal chancellery – but the ÖVP base remains loyal.
Culture
3 Museums in Vienna You Can Go to for Free
Austria takes pride in its museums. While some only open their doors “gratis” on certain days, others even go so far as never charging.
News
Assisted Dying in Austria to be Permitted from 2022
As of Jan. 1, 2022, a legal pathway for assisted dying in Austria will be available.
News
The Best Halloween Events in Vienna for Adults
When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween.
News
Austrian Labor Minister in Washington, D.C.
The Austrian labor minister was in Washington to discuss employment measures and pandemic recovery with his U.S. counterparts..
General
Military Parade on Heldenplatz to Be Held Virtually
As in the previous year, the military parade on Austrian national day will largely take place virtually due to the corona pandemic.
News
Spotlight on Afghanistan at Vienna Migration Conference
The sixth "Vienna Migration Conference" is all about migration partnerships and the focus of this years' discussions was Afghanistan.
News
Hollywood Star Matt Dillon at the 59th Viennale
od star Matt Dillon, who last caused shivers in Lars von Trier's "The House that Jack Built", is coming as a guest of honor.
News
Austria To Launch Plastic Bottle Deposit System in 2025
The new "Einwegpfand" deposit system aims to encourage consumers to keep their disposable plastic bottles and cans out of the trash - but it won't begin until 2025.
News
Austrian President Congratulates Greenpeace
President Alexander Van der Bellen commended the efforts of Greenpeace in a Hofburg palace meeting held on Monday.
News
Austrian Foreign Minister Plans to Stay the Course
According to interviews with several daily newspapers Austria's new Foreign Minister Michael Linhart of center-right Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) plans continuity in Austrian foreign policy.
News
Schallenberg and Merkel: Close Cooperation Planned with Berlin
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had exchanged "in a friendly atmosphere" on topical issues with regard to the European Council this week.
Art
Vienna Is On OnlyFans: Our Cultural Capital Gets Naked
The Vienna Tourism Board keeps having artworks censored on social media. The solution? Now, Vienna is on OnlyFans.
Food & Drink
Insect Burger Patties Coming Soon to Austrian Supermarkets
Insects provide a climate-friendly, high-protein alternative to meat – and producers are betting that ever more consumers will bite in response to the latest buzz.
News
Austrian Interior Minister Nehammer Visits the Netherlands for Talks About Migration
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer of the conservative People's Party (VP) travelled to the Netherlands on Friday for talks about migration.
General
Why Were Austrian Kindergarten Employees On Strike?
Thousands of kindergarten teachers on strike this week said staff and children deserve better conditions - because early childhood education is education.
News
Foreign Minister Linhart Underlined Importance of EUFOR Mission in Sarajevo
Foreign Minister Linhart spoke out in favor of the EUFOR peacekeeping force remaining in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He also emphasized the "extremely important task" of the Austrian contingent.
Features
Practical Guide to Men’s Mental Health in Vienna
Each of us thrives on our social relationships, knowing our family is safe and healthy and having a routine and productive life. COVID-19 upended eac...
News
Chancellor Schallenberg in Brussels: “The EU Is Part of My DNA”
Only three days after his swearing-in ceremony, the new chancellor Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Brussels for his first foreign visit.
News
Update: Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz Sworn in as Member of Parliament
Former chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who stepped down last week amid corruption accusations, has joined parliament as head of the ÖVP faction
News
Opposition Heavily Criticizes Budget Draft
Opposition says budget draft for 2022, presented by Finance Minister Gernot Blümel on Wednesday, is short-sighted and lacks ambition
City Life
Austria to Introduce a National SMS Emergency System
In future, people in Austria will receive catastrophe warnings delivered to their cell phones via an SMS emergency system
News
Austrian Economy: Budget Plans Show Decreasing Debt and Deficit
Finance minister Gernot Bluemel announced momentum in the Austrian economy, and announced a return to "sustainable budget policy" after overcoming the corona crisis.
News
Austrian Researchers Locate “Massive Fraud” in Russian Elections
Viennese scientists find "massive fraud" in Russian elections.
News
Polling Analyst Arrested in the Kurz Corruption Inquiry
Polling analyst Sabine Beinschab was arrested on Tuesday, October 12 in connection with the Conservative Party (ÖVP) scandal
General
New Chancellor Schallenberg Intends “Close Cooperation” with Kurz and the Greens
New Austrian Chancellor speaks: While VP and Greens call for stability, opposition parties see Kurz influence as a democratic threat
News
Austrian Justice Minister Discusses Rule of Law with EU Commissioner
Justice minister Zadić and the EU commissioner for Justice Reynders discussed rule of law this Monday amid the ruling party's corruption scandal.
News
Alexander Schallenberg Sworn in as New Chancellor
Alexander Schallenberg (Conservative Party, VP) has been sworn in by President Alexander Van der Bellen as the new Chancellor of Austria.
News
Ludovic Ferrière, Vienna’s Interplanetary Explorer
International scientist and curator of the acclaimed meteorite collection at Vienna's Natural History Museum, Ludovic Ferrière is bringing the wonder of shooting stars to the public.
News
How European Media Reported the Resignation of Sebastian Kurz
This past week, Austrian politics has once again been at the center of widespread attention. We collected some media reactions from across Europe.
News
Sebastian Kurz Resigns As Chancellor, Foreign Minister Schallenberg to Take Over
Sebastian Kurz announced today that he will step down as chancellor. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) is tapped to take over.
News
The Chats That Launched a Thousand Questions
In 2019, it was a secretly filmed video that broke the coalition between ÖVP and FPÖ. For the ÖVP-Green government, chats may spell the end of the coalition.
News
What’s Next in Austria’s Government Crisis
The Austrian government is on the brink of collapse following allegations of corruption against chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the ÖVP. Here’s what could come next.