Politics

Austrian defense minister Klaudia Tanner and her Greek counterpart Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos signed a "memorandum of understanding" in Vienna.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) stands by his declared tough line on immigration, while Austria has in fact welcomed more refugees than almost any other European country in the last 10 years. Civil initiatives and the opposition see much room for improvement when it comes to the government’s migration and integration policy.

The Austrian unemployment continues to fall, with the pre-crisis level within reach.

A push by the SPÖ to simplify the path to becoming a citizen provokes strong reactions, with the ÖVP, FPÖ and NEOs opposed and the Greens receptive.

The controversial website has been temporarily removed after an incident involving the right-wing "Identitären" movement.

Popular among party hardliners, the former interior minister and vocal Kurz critic assumes leadership following the sudden resignation of Norbert Hofer.

With negotiations concluded, the "hell of all hells" will now be turned into a "place of remembrance," memorial and education center.

A Labor Day rally promoting feminism, climate change policy and anti-capitalism ended in several arrests and police violence.

The recent murder in Vienna’s 20th district marks the ninth femicide in less than five months.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel testified before the German Bundestag last Friday regarding her actions on behalf of the now disgraced company.

A newcomer on the national stage, the general practitioner has taken on arguably the most demanding job in the country.

Just three months on from January’s low point, the European Union’s vaccination effort has rebounded, predicting 70% of adults protected by mid July.

After 15 months leading Austria’s response to the pandemic, the widely respected leader stepped down on April 13.

Recovered chats reveal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Finance Minister Gernot Blümel’s involvement, previously denied, in the appointment of state holding CEO Thomas Schmid.

In a rare show of unity, the Austrian Economic Chambers and Trade Union Federation call the latest anti-COVID measures “not feasible” in a joint statement.

A recent survey found that every second Austrian prefers staying silent over voicing an opinion.

March 25 marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, as well as the birthday of the former Vice-Chancellor – an occasion to reflect on the European ideal.

City officials remain optimistic as they try to find new ways to attract investors.

As the pandemic adds more strain to the system, Vienna’s immigration authority introduces new measures to combat delays.

Press freedom in Central Europe is under renewed threat. Yet there are no systematic arrests of journalists as in Belarus or Turkey, less of the blatant acts of censorship common in Russia and few of the gruesome killings of reporters that are common in autocratic countries around the world. Instead, they are now following the Hungary model.

As criticism and corruption allegations pile up against his administration, the biggest cause for concern is Sebastian Kurz’s deliberate attempts to undermine the nation’s checks and balances.

The European Commission is working on a digital certificate that will enable free travel. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is an advocate, despite Austria’s slow inoculation rate.

If the measure passes, the Republic will dismantle its nearly 100-year-old Official Secrecy Laws – the last EU country to do so – and launch new measures increasing public insight into state operations.

A year after the start of the pandemic, trust in the government has plummeted to new lows, as frustrations mount amid evidence of a new ÖVP scandal.

Concerns over virus mutations have led Germany to close its frontier to Tyrol, setting off traffic jams on the streets and brawls among top officials. Even Brussels has chimed in.

Students of all ages and programs can find a quiet spot in some of Vienna’s traditional 'Kaffeehäuser' and the district 'Volkshochschulen.'

10,000 maskless protestors marched on Sunday, Jan 31 against COVID-19 restrictions, despite a governmental ban.

In the night of January 27-28, two girls born in Austria were deported with their mother to Georgia. To the surprise of the authorities, dozens of demonstrators turned up, including some prominent faces. An eyewitness report.

Set to open in 2026, excavated streets and squares will lead to traffic detours around the Rathaus and along the Alserstraße for some time to come.

Over the last few days, Austria’s immigration authorities have deported children from Lower Austria and Vienna to Armenia and Georgia. Most of them have spent the majority of their lives in Austria or were born here.

Vienna police have taken a former FPÖ MP and BVT-security head in custody for assisting the escape of Jan Marsalek, mastermind of one of Europe’s greatest postwar financial scandals.

With schools in distance learning until February and cultural institutions closed perhaps through March, the government is stepping up support measures.

After extending the current lockdown until at least Feb. 7, the government promised additional support for businesses and workers.

Pushing for clearer laws covering abuse on social media, Green Party leader Sigrid Maurer faces more delays and disingenuous.

The Hollywood actor passionately drew on history and personal experience in response to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

A government minister resigns in disgrace. But the bigger scandal is the value of Austrian universities' degrees.

An invitation to a prayer breakfast in the Parlament managed to offend almost everyone, Christians and secularists alike. It also raised the specter of a far darker time.

The Austrian Republic's longest corruption trial ended sensationally. If it has ended. Ex Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser and close friends have been found guilty and sentenced to prison.

One month after, Austrian society is still reeling from the terrorist attack on November 2.

Following three weeks of intense negotiations, the Vienna’s SPÖ and NEOS have presented a 212-page coalition program for their administration. Here are the most important takeaways.

Investigations surrounding the Jihadist attack in Vienna’s inner city have revealed hiccups in the Austrian secret service and shed new light on the country’s large extremist scene.

Attacks by young Islamists at Antonskirche and Stephansdom prompted strong rebuke from the IGGÖ: “We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.”

On Monday evening, at least one ISIS “sympathizer” attacked diners sitting outside in the inner city. Four civilians and one gunman were killed, and 22 others injured, some severely. Police are still looking for possible accomplices. This is a developing story.

Conflict over remedial German classes in schools continues, as politicians, experts and teachers debate how best to support children with poor language skills.

On Austria’s National Day, October 26, 2020, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen addressed Austrians and “all people living in our country” with a calm plea for reasons, fortitude and unity.

An independent review of the outbreak response to one of Europe’s first COVID-19 clusters blames federal and state officials for their slow reactions and poor communication.

A routine intervention by Wiener Linien staff escalated into alleged use of excessive force; feelings run high while body-cam evidence may prove critical.

Following the popular Black Lives Matter protest in Vienna, young activists launched a Citizens’ Initiative demanding a national action plan against racism.

The mayor’s delegation will meet with all the parties before formal coalition negotiations begin on October 26.

Viennese voters have handed the ruling SPÖ of Mayor Michael Ludwig a decisive victory. All other parties win a higher vote share. Only the far-right-wing FPÖ implodes, losing more than three quarters of its voters.

On the eve of the Vienna mayoral elections, questions of voting rights and double citizenship – of Heritage and 'Heimat' – are again dominating the agenda.

With a life both in the U.S. and Vienna, Gabriel Foguel wants dual citizenship, but the Austrian government won’t allow it.

In Austria, every 5th person over 16 cannot vote, in Vienna, every 3rd. For democracy to flourish, we need to make these voices heard.

Resisting government efforts to suppress independent media, seasoned journalists at the new crowd-funded website have sworn to “keep a check on power.”

In allowing noncitizens to cast a simulated ballot, SOS Mitmensch aims to foster inclusion in Austria’s restricted political system.

As the city prepares to go to the polls, the streets are plastered with party propaganda posters. Michael Ludwig will almost certainly remain mayor, but his potential partners are pitching for a piece of power.

At a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Vienna, far-right extremists put on a homophobic display in front of a cheering crowd, while drawing outrage from the Greens.

The annual integration report has confirmed that migrant children have difficulty learning German, but Integration Minister Susanne Raab rejects changing the system.

A financial pillar of Burgenland had been running on fictional business for years. The inevitable came in August, as the fraudster confessed. Now, auditors and authorities are busy pointing fingers.

'Gürtelfrische West' has been shut down by city officials – yet another set back for Deputy Mayor Birgit Hebein, widely criticized for her “pop-up politics.”

Our publisher and CEO has been living in Vienna for 24 years but she can’t vote in the city she calls home. Time to change that.

Few countries in Europe have experienced such a swift downturn in press and media freedom with a new government as has Slovenia under veteran Prime Minister Janez Janša.

The parliamentary presidents of the three countries met in Grafenegg, 50 km outside of Vienna. Hungary’s recent steps to close its borders were also discussed.

The City Council voted to take in 100 minors from the overcrowded refugee camp – principally from the Moria camp on Lesbos.

The education minister’s agenda for the fall semester includes minimizing contact between students and holding classes outside.

A new law entering into force on September 1, offers a path to citizenship to tens of thousands whose ancestors were persecuted by the Nazis.

Lies about COVID-19, unprovoked police violence and suspected fraud in the presidential election have brought 200,000 to the streets of Minsk demanding a new election. A Belarusian student at the Uni Wien stays involved from abroad.

New, small political parties are vying to get on the ballot for the upcoming elections – in the district council elections, EU citizens can vote too.

In an adroit move by Mayor Michael Ludwig, the enormously popular public bike rental program is to be Integrated into Vienna’s Public Transport Network.

Following the devastating explosion in Beirut, the Lebanese diaspora in Vienna is demonstrating in support.

After an agreement over a coronavirus relief package, the European Union is working to implement the plan.

The recent budget-corona negotiations could lead to the creation of a fiscal union and a greater emphasis on sustainability.

As the Brexit negotiations drag on, there is still no final clarity on the future of British citizens living in Europe. It is likely to be reciprocal – whatever that means. With Boris, who knows?

After negotiations failed, the city is suing the short-term housing platform over illegal sublets in Gemeindebauten municipal apartments.

Austria’s EU officials expressed diverging opinions ahead of the bloc’s budget-corona negotiations.

Klaudia Tanner is fighting a losing battle to maintain a credible military on a shrinking budget. She has some good ideas, but her communications have met a disastrous defeat.

Justice Minister Alma Zadić has guaranteed independent legal support for asylum seekers. This has allayed well grounded fears of political pressuring. For now.

Having two homes is confusing, and the choice between convenience and (fragile) ideology, even more so.

Karin Kneissl, former Foreign Minister of Austria, talks politics, diplomacy and Europe's place in the world in an exclusive final interview with Metropole magazine

With the FPÖ gone, the ÖVP pushes for controversial law in bars and restaurants

Military convoys carrying thousands of soldiers will be crossing Austria on their way to join U.S.-led exercises in the Balkans – but traffic precautions are in place.

Recent government moves appear to be aimed at restricting official data collection and distribution. The opposition sees this as unwarranted interfere...

Stanford political scientist Francis Fukuyama was in Vienna in early March to talk about the global crisis of democracy. Gaining world fame for his “E...

It is a rainy Friday night, and Ulises is sitting with his girlfriend Laura at a winebar at the Naschmarkt in Vienna. Ulisesis from Madrid and La...

In a press conference Monday afternoon, Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) outlined his plans for "Sicherungshaft," a legal change that wo...

Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz described his meeting with United States president Donald Trump Wednesday as “very disputatious” in an interview wi...

The Papamonat (paternity leave) has been a PR coup for the present government.   After long opposing a new fathers' right to take a month off work,...

Following the rejection of Theresa May’s Brexit plan by a devastating majority of 230 votes in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (PM) had to fa...

What time do you normally get up? Austrian’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz recently made some controversial comments amid the ongoing discussion on welfar...

The world has watched the US midterm elections spellbound. But for Europe, even the Democratic victory in the house of representative might not bring ...

On September 24, some troubling news broke: News outlets like Kurier and Der Standard published a leaked email that was sent from within the Interior ...

They love him or they hate him: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is more notorious across Europe than most of his predecessors. Now he is taking ove...

“Welcome to a new world of work.” A 3-minute animated video with this feel-good title was published on June 18 by the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO)...

Liste Pilz founder Peter Pilz has finally taken his seat in parliament after initially declining it in the wake of sexual harassment allegations again...

When Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in Vienna with a 30-minute delay on Tuesday, the military guard of honor stood ready, waiting in th...

I won’t be voting in the Austrian election. In fact, I never have. A few months ago, a media colleague asked if I had thought of entering politics. ...

The redo of the Austrian Presidential Elections is taking place on the 4th of December. Here’s what you need to know about voting if you’re living abr...

Key Reminders from the Federal Voting Assistance Program during Absentee Voting Week ALEXANDRIA, Va. - With less than two months until the General Ele...