Political News | Metropole

Coronavirus

How Austria Plans to Support Its Schools & Artists

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

Benjamin Wolf - January 27, 2021

Coronavirus

Austria’s New COVID-19 Support Measures for Businesses

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

Benjamin Wolf - January 27, 2021

Online

Waiting for ‘Willi’ – No-Show in Sigrid Maurer’s Suit Over Online Sexual Abuse

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

Helena McFadzean - January 26, 2021

On Display

Brandishing Conan’s sword, Schwarzenegger Stands for U.S Democracy

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

Emma Hontebeyrie - January 18, 2021

On Display

Aschbacher’s Plagiarism – of Titles and Tragedies

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

Simon Ballam - January 15, 2021

Online

Church and State – No Prayers Please, We’re Austrian

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.

Simon Ballam - December 18, 2020

Online

Grasser Found Guilty in a Tale of Insider Bidding and Bags of Cash

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.

Simon Ballam - December 11, 2020

Online

The Ramifications of Terror

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

Bogdan Brkić - December 7, 2020

Online

“Social, Brave, Humane, Sustainable” – Red-Pink Make Its Debut in Vienna

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.

Amina Frassl - November 19, 2020

Online

The Ugly Truth Behind Vienna’s Terrorist Attack – Blind Bureaucracy and Clumsy Management

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.

Amina Frassl - November 13, 2020

Online

Muslim Community Condemns Church Break-Ins

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

Daniel Jacob El-Sabeh - November 6, 2020

Online

Jihadist Terror Attack in Vienna’s First District

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.

Amina Frassl - November 3, 2020

Online

Multilingualism: Treasure or Burden? Probably Both.

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

Verena Mayer - November 1, 2020

Coronavirus

“Austria can manage this. Together.”

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.

Benjamin Wolf - October 27, 2020

Coronavirus

The Ischgl Report – Misjudgment, Misconduct and Misinformation

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.

Verena Mayer - October 26, 2020

Online

Enforcement of Mask Rules by U-Bahn Security Triggers Accusations of Racism

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

Verena Mayer - October 24, 2020

Online

Black Voices – ‘Writing History’ in Austria

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

Amina Frassl - October 17, 2020

Online

Vienna Election – The Greens Call for Unity as the SPÖ Weighs its Options

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

Bogdan Brkić - October 16, 2020

Online

Vienna Has Voted – The Final Results in Detail

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.

Benjamin Wolf - October 12, 2020

International

Telex.hu – A Defiant Hungarian News Site

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

Jusztina Barna - October 3, 2020

Online

“Pass Egal Vote” – Giving a Voice to the Unheard

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

Amina Frassl - October 2, 2020

Online

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.

Simon Ballam - September 28, 2020

Coronavirus

QAnon Supporters Put on a Homophobic Display at a Protest in Vienna

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.

Amina Frassl - September 19, 2020

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.

Amina Frassl - September 15, 2020

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.

Simon Ballam - September 14, 2020

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.”

Amina Frassl - September 9, 2020

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.

Jamie Wiseman - September 5, 2020

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.

Benjamin Wolf - September 3, 2020

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.

Benjamin Wolf - September 2, 2020

Online

Reopening Austrian Schools

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

Amina Frassl - September 2, 2020

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.

Vanessa Iula - August 31, 2020

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.

Amina Frassl - August 19, 2020

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.

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger - August 10, 2020

Online

Beirut to Vienna – Funeral March for the Dead

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

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger - August 9, 2020

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.

Amina Frassl - August 8, 2020

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.

Kurt Bayer - August 4, 2020

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?

Simon Ballam - August 3, 2020

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.

Amina Frassl - August 1, 2020

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.

Amina Frassl - July 23, 2020

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.

Simon Ballam - July 22, 2020

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.

Simon Ballam - July 20, 2020

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

Stephanie Liechtenstein - June 14, 2019

Online

ÖVP Says Yes to Smoking Ban

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

Eden Vered - June 12, 2019

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.

Fausia Abdoel - June 5, 2019

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...

Julia Seidl - March 26, 2019

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...

Stephanie Liechtenstein - March 19, 2019

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...

Jacob Lassar - March 10, 2019

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...

Yaël Ossowski - February 27, 2019

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...

Liam Hoare - February 21, 2019

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,...

The Editors - February 18, 2019

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...

Paraskevi Peglidou - January 16, 2019

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...

Darina Mittelmann - January 14, 2019

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 ...

Eva Nowotny - December 6, 2018

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 ...

Julia Seidl - September 25, 2018

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...

Rainer Nowak - June 30, 2018

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)...

Christopher Puhm - June 20, 2018

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...

Christopher Puhm - June 12, 2018

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...

Stephanie Liechtenstein - June 8, 2018

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...

The Editors - September 28, 2016