Category: Austria

Vienna: Speculation and discreet meetings continue as Austria inches closer to forming a new coalition government. While neither the ÖVP nor the SPÖ have openly addressed the prospect of a three-party coalition with the NEOS, the political maneuvering behind the scenes is undeniable. The ball, many insiders say, is now in the hands of President […]

Austria’s political landscape has been upended by the results of Sunday’s national elections, creating fresh uncertainties about the country’s next government. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) stormed to a decisive victory, with its leader Herbert Kickl delivering the party’s best-ever result. At the same time, the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) suffered a major blow, […]

In a landmark judgment, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the systematic repression of women by Afghanistan’s Taliban regime qualifies as persecution, significantly easing the path for Afghan women to claim asylum in Europe. The court’s decision highlights that proving gender and Afghan nationality is sufficient to establish a well-founded fear of […]

Vienna – In a symbolic protest on the “Day of Defenders of Ukraine,” a group of Ukrainian demonstrators gathered in the heart of Vienna to voice opposition to a potential coalition involving Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ). Around 50 protesters, stopping at key landmarks such as the Federal Chancellery and Hofburg Palace, chanted, “No coalition […]

As Austria’s National Council elections on September 29 approach, ORF.at provides a handy guide to the key platforms of major political parties and smaller nationwide contenders. ÖVP: Tax Cuts and Childcare Guarantee Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s ÖVP is calling for reduced payroll taxes and expanded depreciation options. They want to evaluate corporate taxes yearly. On family […]

Vienna’s iconic Stephansplatz turned into a sea of blue on Friday as supporters gathered for the FPÖ’s grand campaign finale. The event, held in the heart of the Austrian capital, drew a significant crowd of fans eager to hear from party leader Herbert Kickl. The choice of venue was not without significance; it’s a place […]

VIENNA: On 23 September, several dozen solidarity activists gathered for the funeral of Palestinian prisoner Imad Imran (Tawfik Chaovali), including his brother who lives in Germany. Tawfik had attempted to hijack an Israeli El Al plane in 1985 but was arrested at the Vienna airport after a shootout and had been in prison ever since. […]

As Austria’s 2024 National Assembly election approaches, the political landscape is heating up, particularly in Vienna, where parties are aggressively campaigning for voter support. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is currently leading the polls with around 27-31% support, reflecting a rise in nationalist and anti-immigration sentiment. This shift has put significant pressure on […]

The number of asylum applications in Austria has continued its sharp decline, with just 1,704 requests submitted in August, according to the latest monthly statistics. This figure represents a dramatic 74% drop compared to August of the previous year, when 7,043 applications were filed. In fact, August 2023 now stands as the month with the […]

In the aftermath of the recent floods, Karl Nehammer has emerged as a “classic crisis manager,” according to his colleagues in the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). His decisive response and authoritative presence during the crisis have drawn praise, with many attributing his effectiveness to his background as a “staunch military man.” Yet, Nehammer’s newfound demeanor […]