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Wednesday, 08. February 2012 - 14:02

Breaking News:

Greens write off debt brake accord Greens chairwoman Eva Glawischnig has claimed the government stopped being interested in adding a debt brake to the constitution.
Electricity supplier switch barriers to disappear Peopleâ€™s Party (Ã–VP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner has promised a further reduction of bureaucratic obstacles for people planning to change their electricity providers.
End of austerity package talks in sight, says Khol A Peopleâ€™s Party (Ã–VP) board member has claimed that the upcoming savings package would be presented within the coming days.
Erste Bank expert optimistic about Hungary The chief analyst of Austriaâ€™s biggest bank has said chances for a political agreement about the difficult economic condition of Hungary are good.
Spindelegger upsets SPÃ– Peopleâ€™s Party (Ã–VP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger has caused a stir by revealing details of the upcoming austerity package.
Tragic schoolgirl Julia to be laid to rest An Austrian schoolgirl whose disappearance was once linked to incest monster Josef Fritzl is to be buried today.
Camera leads to hit and run boarder arrest Austrian police have arrested a hit-and-run snow boarder after issuing the man's picture to local media.
Vranitzky appreciates tuition fees discussion Former Social Democratic (SPÃ–) Chancellor Franz Vranitzky has said he welcomes the current debate about a reintroduction of tuition fees.
Westbahn welcomes 6,000 a day Westbahn manages to sell one in two of the overall number of tickets it offers, a spokesman said today (Fri).
Wiener Linien records rising demand for annual passes The number of people opting for annual Wiener Linien tickets is soaring.
Vice chancellor refuses to exclude FPÃ– The Peopleâ€™s Party (Ã–VP) keeps refusing to disassociate itself from the Freedom Party (FPÃ–) following FPÃ– leader Heinz-Christian Stracheâ€™s controversial comparisons with the Nazi era.
Vienna Ã–VP endorses proposed district cuts Vienna Peopleâ€™s Party (Ã–VP) Josefstadt district head Veronika Mickel suggested continuing to speak about a reduction of positions in the city's administration.

25. 02. 10. - 12:00

Greens blast Schüssel's decision to join RWE

The Greens blasted former People’s Party (ÖVP) Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel yesterday (Weds) for his decision to join the supervisory board of one of Europe’s biggest energy providers - German firm RWE.

Green environmental spokeswoman Christiane Brunner said: "This decision once again shows why we have been waiting in vain in Austria for a change in energy policy in the direction of climate protection, security of supply and green jobs.

"The links between the ÖVP and fossil fuel and nuclear energy businesses are simply too close."

Radko Pavlovec, an anti nuclear-power activist in Upper Austria, said Schüssel’s board membership ran the risk of damaging the credibility of Austria’s anti-nuclear power policy.

He accused Schüssel of having been responsible for Austria’s failed attempts to get the Czech nuclear power authority to deal with repeated security problems at the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic not far from the border with Upper Austria.

"It is unimaginable that a senior Austrian politician would accept a position on the supervisory board of a leading nuclear energy firm the activities of which go against the security interests of the Austrian people," he added.

Pavlovec called on Schüssel "urgently to reconsider" his decision and turn down his lucrative new job.

Schüssel is currently an MP for the conservative ÖVP after heading a coalition government with the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and later on with its right-wing rival the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) between 2000 and 2007.

A spokesman for the German company said the former foreign minister would be nominated for election at RWE’s next general shareholders’ meeting on 22 April.

RWE, based in Essen, Germany, reportedly hopes to benefit from Schüssel’s good connections among European political leaders.