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Today in Austria: A round-up of the latest news on Thursday

Find out what's going on today in Austria with The Local's short roundup of the news.

Cafe Korb in lockdown
AFP/ Alex Halada

Virologist says lockdown ‘no longer working’ in Vienna and Lower Austria

The Innsbruck scientist Günter Weiss, believes the lockdown in Vienna and Lower Austria is no longer effective.

He said people had not changed their behaviour enough in the most recent lockdown to control infections. The lockdown is due to end May 2nd, and the expert advocated opening steps in May, broadcaster ORF reports. 

One million extra Pfizer doses for Austria

EU Commission President von der Leyen has announced the EU is purchasing an additional 50 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. For Austria this means one million doses delivered earlier in the second quarter, according to the Wiener Zeitung newspaper.

Contents of Chancellor’s phone messages to be revealed?

Opposition parties looking into the Ibiza scandal in Austria’s U-Committee (the SPÖ, NEOS and FPÖ) have asked Austria’s  Constitutional Court (VfGH) for access to Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s work mobile phone and the SMS, WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram and signal messages on it.

The Constitutional Court will declare that the Federal Chancellor should comply, broadcaster ORF reports. 

READ MORE: What you need to know about Austria’s Ibiza-gate video

FPÖ MPs criticised for travelling to Paraguay on ‘diplomatic’ visit

Austria’s ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party) has criticised a trip to Paraguay made by FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) politicians, which they claimed was a “diplomatic” visit. 

ÖVP Bundesrat chairman, Karl Bader, said it was a “slap in the face of those people who have supported all the measures in lockdown for a year”. 

Paraguay is in the list of countries with a travel warning due to the coronavirus infection rate, he said. The trip was reported by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper on Wednesday.

While visiting Paraguay the MPs voted via video conference against the mask requirement in the Austrian Parliament, broadcaster ORF reports. 

EU money for green and digital projects

Austria has submitted its plan for the European reconstruction fund, according to the Wiener Zeitung newspaper.

Chancellor Kurz made the announcement on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. It is estimated that €3.5 billion will go to projects, with a focus on digitisation and greening. In the past few weeks, the opposition had repeatedly criticised Austria for submitting its plans too late. 

Weaknesses in Austria’s labour market exposed by pandemic, OECD reports

The OECD (Organisation for economic cooperation and development) warns the pandemic has exposed weaknesses on the labour market in Austria, Wiener Zietung newspaper reports.

These are shortcomings in the digital sector, many long-term unemployed and comparatively few women working full-time on the labor market, according to the OECD paper “Going for Growth 2021: Shaping a Vibrant Recovery”, the outlet reports.

End of the combustion engine in Austria?

Eco-tax reform for Austria could include switching to production of only electric cars from 2025, according to a study from the scientist Gerd Sammer and experts from the Road-Rail-Transport Research Association, Der Standard newspaper reports. 

The study says the 15 year service life of cars means if the goal of climate neutrality by 2040 is taken seriously by the government, from 2025 only fossil-free cars should go into operation, explains Sammer. Petrol costs could rise and cars have to pay road tolls based on distances travelled, according to the study. 

Construction boom in Austria

State aid in Austria has created a building boom and price increases, with entrepreneurs saying construction costs have risen by up to 15 percent.

The higher construction costs completely eat up the investment premium and higher prices generate more tax revenue, Die Presse newspaper reports.

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VIENNA

Eight unmissable events in Vienna in April 2024

April in Vienna is a busy month filled with exciting events to explore. Here, we list some happenings that you should not miss out on.

Eight unmissable events in Vienna in April 2024

April is almost here and offers a wide range of interesting events to explore in Vienna. You can enjoy anything from the Vienna City Marathon or a dance ball to different exhibitions and music festivals.

Run or watch others run Vienna City Marathon

On April 21st, this year’s Vienna City Marathon will take place. If you have not signed up for it yet, you can still put your name on the waiting list and maybe get a chance to participate in the run. If not, the event is a day of celebration in the city that you can enjoy anyway.

The Vienna City Marathon is a lively event taking place all over the city. People from Austria and all over the world gather to watch the runners pass by, and at various locations in the city, you can enjoy live music or food and drinks from different stands set up for the occasion.

The run is for everyone, from elite runners to beginners who just want to reach the goal and do not care about time. The start is at the Reichsbrücke, which crosses the Danube River, and the finish line is on Ringstrasse, between the Burgtheater and Rathausplatz. The full route is on the website. 

Sign up for the waiting lists here.

The entry fee for the marathon is €145, and for the half marathon, it is €115.

Thousands of runners cross the Reichsbrucke bridge over the Danube river during the Vienna City Marathon. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Enjoy Argus Bike Festival

On April 13th-14th, at Rathausplatz, Austria’s biggest cycling event takes place.

Here you can explore the latest bike trends, test different bikes, and enjoy bike shows with brave bikers performing all sorts of tricks in the air.

Some of the two-day program highlights include the bike flea market, where you can find bargains, the kids’ bike world, where children can explore biking, e-bike testing possibilities, and many different shows where stunt cyclists perform.

You can enter the festival for free and read more about the program here

 
 
 
 
 
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READ MORE: Train travel in Austria: The best day trips from Vienna

Check out the climate festival Klima Biennale Wien

This year’s climate festival takes place from April 5th until July 14th at various locations all over Vienna. The festival explores how art, design, architecture, and science can contribute to creating a sustainable and liveable future while also considering the impacts of climate change.

The festival pushes for significant changes to make our planet better for living. It highlights the idea of working together, sharing ideas, and raising awareness as the main tools for more sustainable co-living.

The three-month-long festival offers a wide range of performances, exhibitions, talks, concerts, and workshops.

If you want to participate, you can buy a festival pass at various locations, for which you pay as much as you like. You can, for example, buy it at the Museum Hundertwasser.

 
 
 
 
 
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Dance to support cancer research

The Dancer Against Cancer Ball is an annual cancer charity event in Vienna. This year, it will take place on April 13th at 7:30 p.m. in the Palace Hofburg. The event aims to raise funds for cancer research and support those affected by the disease.

Here, you can support a good cause while enjoying dancing and watching professionals present a variety of styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, and ballroom.

The event is organised by various dance schools, companies, and charity organisations and is famous for bringing together the local dance community and supporters of cancer research and awareness.

A standard ticket costs €115, and for students, it is €70. You can buy them online.

READ ALSO: 4 beautiful lakes you can easily reach from Vienna by public transport

Explore the Salam Music and Arts Festival

For more than two decades, this festival has been a lively celebration of music, art, and film from Middle Eastern cultures. This year, the event takes place from April 12th to April 21st at various locations in Vienna, such as Flex and Sargfabrik.

Here, you can explore different cultures and art forms presented by innovative artists. You can choose from a wide range of performances, such as concerts, films, dialogues, and exhibitions.

The festival is a platform for both international and local artists who want to connect with and engage people through their art. It sees itself as a bridge in a diverse society, creating a common identity through art and culture.

You can buy a ticket to the different performances here.

 
 
 
 
 
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Check out the rock festival Echoes of Erebos

On April 27th, the rock festival Echoes of Erebos will take place for the second time at METAStadt in Donaustadt.

If you enjoy rock music, ranging from stoner and doom to psych and everything in between, this is the place to be. Seven bands from Austria, such as Motorpsycho, Bismuth, 24/7 Diva Heaven, and Bikini Beach, will be the entertainment of the day.

The festival also offers a cosy beer garden where guests can enjoy food and drinks, and there will be an after-party after the bands finish playing.

A standard ticket costs €66 and can be bought online.

Visit the parliament and learn about it

You can visit the Austrian parliament and enjoy a guided tour for free. During the tour, you will explore the inside of the parliament and learn interesting facts about its architecture, history, and renovation. 

You will see and learn more about the historic chamber, the Federal Council chamber, and the newly designed National Council chamber.

The guided tour takes 55 minutes and is available on the following dates:

Monday to Friday: 11:45 am, 1:45 pm, 3:45 pm.

Saturday: 11:45 am, 3:45 pm.

Reserve your tour here.

An inner view shows the Austrian Parliament in Vienna.(Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP)

Visit the exhibition Climate.Knowledge.Action!

You can learn more about climate change through a new permanent and detailed exhibition at the Technical Museum Vienna.

The exhibition presents the causes and connections of the climate crisis. It brings up important new ideas and innovations in areas such as agriculture, energy supply, mobility, urban planning, and land use.

You can experience the exhibition through different senses, with things to see, experts to talk to, detailed information to explore, and big interactive screens to play with.

A standard ticket costs €16 and can be bought here.

READ NEXT: Everything that changes in Austria in April 2024

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