Your daily news for
Wednesday, 08. February 2012 - 13:02

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.

05. 03. 10. - 15:00

Schönborn and Leitl rule out voting Rosenkranz

Vienna Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn said today (Fri) he could rule out voting for the Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) presidential election candidate Barbara Rosenkranz.

Schönborn said: "Someone who questions the ‘National Socialism prohibition law’ and fails to make clear statements regarding the Holocaust is not an option for me personally."

Rosenkranz, who represents the ultra-conservative wing of right-wing opposition party the FPÖ, has repeatedly made statements her political opponents branded "xenophobic", "appalling" and "far-right".

The mother-of-ten, who heads the FPÖ’s Lower Austrian branch, recently received outspoken support by the Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s bestselling newspaper.

Schönborn said he was only speaking for himself, but added he was "convinced" all other Austrian bishops would agree with him.

Christoph Leitl, head of the Austrian Economy Chamber (WKO), only yesterday said: "I will certainly not vote for her [Rosenkranz]."

FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache said he saw a potential of around 35 per cent for his candidate, while analysts predict a landslide victory by incumbent president Heinz Fischer in the election set to be held on 25 April.

All the Greens, the People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) decided not to nominate own candidates.

BZÖ chief Josef Bucher said: "You know I have got nothing to do with people of a far-right mindset. We [the BZÖ] have always clearly disassociated ourselves from such views."

Deputy FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer today accused his party’s political rivals of running "an unmatched campaign" against Rosenkranz.

Viennese lawyer Georg Zanger revealed yesterday he has launched legal action against Rosenkranz.

Zanger said he regarded her questioning of Austria’s ‘National Socialism prohibition law’ as a "preparing act" for a spreading Nazi mindset – something which is illegal in Austria.