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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Innsbruck gets new mayor, centre-left SPÖ unveils plan to finance policy proposal, Austrian police get body cameras and more news from Austria on Monday.

Published: 29 April 2024 06:20 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Austrian policemen near the Grand Hotel Wien talking to a protester in Vienna. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Johannes Anzengruber elected Mayor of Innsbruck

In a surprise victory, Johannes Anzengruber was elected Mayor of Innsbruck in a runoff election. The former deputy mayor, running on his own list, “Yes – Now Innsbruck,” defeated incumbent Green Party Mayor Georg Willi by a significant margin, reaching almost 60 percent of the votes.

Experts predicted Anzengruber would perform well, but his decisive win is considered a political surprise, ORF reported. While the far-right FPÖ and Greens were initially seen as frontrunners, Anzengruber emerged as a strong outsider in the first round. He secured a spot in the runoff and capitalised on this momentum to win the mayor’s seat.

This victory marks a turnaround for Anzengruber. Just six years ago, he ran for the centre-right ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party), achieving many votes and becoming deputy mayor. However, the ÖVP bypassed him for the mayoral candidacy, leading Anzengruber to form his own party.

READ ALSO: How to make the most of 24 hours in Innsbruck

Why are people in Austria paying more taxes despite federal reforms?

Workers in Austria are still among those with the highest tax burdens in the world, with taxes and contributions taking more than 40 percent of wages even as the country introduced sweeping tax reforms. We explain why that is.

Centre-left SPÖ unveils plan to finance policy proposals

The centre-left party SPÖ has outlined its funding strategy for key policy initiatives, emphasising increased employment and taxes on the wealthy to support welfare state expansions. 

The plan, which costs €7 to €8 billion annually, includes measures like free kindergartens and job guarantees. By implementing “fair taxes” and redirecting corporate tax cuts, SPÖ aims to generate the same amount in revenue, allowing for tax reductions and VAT exemptions on essential items.

The party said it would promote efficient spending and that it aims to adhere to deficit rules while delivering tangible benefits to Austrian citizens.

READ ALSO: Austria’s SPÖ party announces Babler as leader after vote mix-up

Far-right FPÖ maintains lead despite espionage affair

According to a recent survey by Unique Research for “profil” magazine, the FPÖ continues to lead in the National Council election polls. 

The espionage scandal involving Egisto Ott hasn’t affected the far-right’’ standing, with leader Herbert Kickl gaining ground. The FPÖ leads with 30 percent, followed by the centre-left SPÖ at 21 percent and the centre-right ÖVP at 20 percent. 

Kickl leads the hypothetical chancellor vote with 22 percent. 

Critics have raised concerns about connections between former FPÖ MP Hans Jörg Jenewein and Egisto Ott, who has been accused of espionage, though Jenewein denies any wrongdoing. 

The survey polled 800 respondents aged 16 and over, with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Political landscape changes may occur by autumn, but concrete allegations in the espionage affair are needed for relevance.

READ ALSO: Can the Austrian president refuse to appoint a far-right chancellor?

Austrian police get body cameras 

Austrian police will wear body-worn cameras (bodycams) starting this year. The goal is to de-escalate situations, protect officers, and gather evidence, according to a Der Standard report.

The Ministry of the Interior backs the plan, believing it will improve transparency. Legal experts agree but with reservations. Amnesty International stated it is concerned about biased recordings since officers control activation – meaning the police will determine when the bodycam is recording or not. Unlike some US states, Austria can’t enable automatic recording for legal reasons.

Recordings will be used for investigations and reviews of police actions. They can also be used as evidence in lawsuits, benefiting both officers and citizens.

READ ALSO: Cycling in Austria – 7 rules you can be fined for breaking

If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

Reimbursement for elective doctors goes digital in July; Favoriten sees crime drop after six weeks of weapons ban, weather extremes increased in Austria and more news from Austria on Thursday.

Published: 16 May 2024 07:39 CEST
Updated: 16 May 2024 09:15 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

Reimbursement for elective doctors goes digital in July

Significant changes are coming for patients who visit elective doctors (the Wahlärzte, those not contracted with national health insurance).  Starting July 1st, these doctors will be required to electronically submit fee information to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) upon patient request.

Previously, patients had to submit paper receipts for reimbursement. ÖGK Director General Bernhard Wurzer calls this a “milestone” for streamlining the process.

Wurzer clarifies that patients will have control over the electronic submission. They can request it or decline it. Ultimately, the goal is full automation, with reimbursements reaching patients within 14 days. Currently, handwritten paper slips create processing delays.

The change also benefits ÖGK by reducing their workload. Elective doctors will be required to use the “WAH online” program for electronic submissions, eliminating the need for scanning handwritten documents. While only 10% of doctors currently use WAH online, Wurzer expects widespread adoption by July, given the program’s mandatory nature. Doctors have been aware of the upcoming change since January 1st.

READ ALSO: Healthcare in Austria – Why are there fewer ‘public’ doctors?

Austria to hike amount to be paid out for 2024 ‘Klimabonus’ payment

Austrian authorities will soon start sending out the so-called Klimabonus payment, which will be a higher amount than last year.

‘Smugglers are now avoiding Austria’, minister says

Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, has announced that the country’s stricter stance on asylum policies is yielding positive outcomes. In a statement to the German newspaper “Welt,” Karner highlighted a significant decrease in illegal migrant apprehensions at the border with Hungary. In the first quarter of 2023, authorities detained 4,450 individuals, a stark contrast to the 190 apprehensions in the same period last year.

Karner attributed this decline to intensified border controls and accelerated asylum procedures. He emphasised that Austria’s crackdown on illegal immigration and swift deportation of offenders are sending a clear message to human smugglers: Austria is not a viable route for their operations.

Furthermore, Karner advocated for the repatriation of criminal Afghan migrants and suggested extending such measures to Syrians, citing certain regions in Syria “as safe for return”. He commended Denmark’s agreement with the Kosovar government, allowing for the operation of detention facilities to deport convicted criminals from third countries. The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) aims to explore a similar arrangement for Austria.

READ ALSO: ‘Danish model’: What are Austria’s strict plans to cut social benefits for foreigners?

Favoriten sees crime drop after six weeks of weapons ban

Favoriten, Vienna’s largest district, has seen a significant decrease in crime since a weapons ban was implemented six weeks ago, broadcaster ORF reported. The Ministry of the Interior reports a drop of more than half in criminal activity.

A newly formed youth crime task force, the EJK, has been credited with the success. They’ve conducted over 1,000 checks through targeted operations and patrols and filed 190 charges in Favoriten alone. Notably, special operations at Reumannplatz have resulted in the confiscation of eleven weapons, primarily knives.

“The EJK is carrying out almost daily priority operations,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. This focus on Favoriten is part of a larger national effort. Police across Vienna have conducted over 8,700 checks, resulting in 940 charges. Nationwide, that number climbs to 14,000 checks and over 2,000 charges.

Weather extremes increased in Austria

Austria’s climate report paints a concerning picture for 2023. The year began and ended with abnormal warmth, while frequent and heavy precipitation events caused significant damage, particularly in the south.

The report highlights Austria’s infrastructure’s vulnerability to extreme weather. August’s heavy rainfall events and weakened forests due to bark beetle infestations caused extensive damage and exposed the need for improved climate adaptation strategies.

“The 2023 climate assessment shows that it is necessary to adapt as well as possible to the existing and expected future impacts,” said Herbert Formayer, lead scientist on the report, in a press release. “Not only the extent of damage but also the risk potential for the population is increasing.”

If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

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