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Election Fever in Vienna
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.
Coronavirus
The Out of Control Fringes
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.
Online
Low Marks for Integration in Austrian Schools – Who is to Blame?
The annual integration report has confirmed that migrant children have difficulty learning German, but Integration Minister Susanne Raab rejects changing the system.
Online
Commerzialbank – A Tale of Criminal Generosity and Incompetent Oversight
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.
Online
No More Swimming on the Gürtel
'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.”
Online
New Government, Old Agenda – Press Freedom Under Strain Again in Slovenia
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.
Coronavirus
Austria, Slovakia, Czechia Vow to Avoid Border Closures
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.
Online
Vienna Offers to Take in Refugee Children From the Greek Islands
The City Council voted to take in 100 minors from the overcrowded refugee camp – principally from the Moria camp on Lesbos.
Online
Reopening Austrian Schools
The education minister’s agenda for the fall semester includes minimizing contact between students and holding classes outside.
Online
Protests in Belarus, Support in Vienna
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.
Online
Newcomer Parties Fighting to Get on the Ballot
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.
Online
Wiener Linien Steps in to Save the City Bikes
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.
Online
Beirut to Vienna – Funeral March for the Dead
Following the devastating explosion in Beirut, the Lebanese diaspora in Vienna is demonstrating in support.
Online
The EU Deal Enters a New Phase
After an agreement over a coronavirus relief package, the European Union is working to implement the plan.
Online
Why the EU Recovery Fund Is a Big Deal – for Europe & for the Climate
The recent budget-corona negotiations could lead to the creation of a fiscal union and a greater emphasis on sustainability.
Diplomacy
Musical Chairs for UK-EU Expats – Grab a Seat Before the Music Stops
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?
Online
Vienna Takes on Airbnb Over Social Housing
After negotiations failed, the city is suing the short-term housing platform over illegal sublets in Gemeindebauten municipal apartments.
Coronavirus
Wrestling for the EU Deal | Austrian Officials, Like the Country, Were Divided
Austria’s EU officials expressed diverging opinions ahead of the bloc’s budget-corona negotiations.
Online
One Woman Army | Tanner’s Mission Impossible
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.
Online
Asylum Seekers’ Path of Entry Eased. Perhaps.
Justice Minister Alma Zadić has guaranteed independent legal support for asylum seekers. This has allayed well grounded fears of political pressuring. For now.
Online
“We Are Not the United States of Europe”
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
Online
ÖVP Says Yes to Smoking Ban
With the FPÖ gone, the ÖVP pushes for controversial law in bars and restaurants
Online
Tanks a Lot
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.
Online
Creeping Message Control
Recent government moves appear to be aimed at restricting official data collection and distribution. The opposition sees this as unwarranted interfere...
Online
The Quest for Dignity
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...
Features
Europe Goes to the Polls
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...
Online
Kickl Seeks Preventive Detention of ‘Dangerous’ Refugees
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) outlined his plans for "Sicherungshaft," a legal change that wo...
Online
“You’re a Young Guy” | Kurz Meets Trump
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz described his meeting with United States president Donald Trump Wednesday as “very disputatious” in an interview wi...
Online
Papa Stays Home
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,...
Diplomacy
74, 73, 72 … The Countdown to Brexit Has Begun
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...
Online
#WienStehtAuf – Why the online community is mocking Sebastian Kurz
What time do you normally get up? Austrian’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz recently made some controversial comments amid the ongoing discussion on welfar...
Opinion
The US Midterms and the Consequences for Europe
The world has watched the US midterm elections spellbound. But for Europe, even the Democratic victory in the house of representative might not bring ...
General
Austria’s Interior Ministry under fire for suggesting blocking “critical media”
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 ...
July/August 2018
The Sebastian Kurz Show
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...
General
Austrian Government Plans to Introduce 12-hour Workday
“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)...
July/August 2018
Female Opposition Mushrooms Against Pilz
Liste Pilz founder Peter Pilz has finally taken his seat in parliament after initially declining it in the wake of sexual harassment allegations again...
Diplomacy
Austria Charms and Courts Putin
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...
5 Things You Need to Know to Vote in the U.S. Elections
Key Reminders from the Federal Voting Assistance Program during Absentee Voting Week
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - With less than two months until the General El...
