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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

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

Protest attack against Minister Edtstadler, houses remain unaffordable, Austrian Finance Minister proposes tax-free overtime and more news from Austria on Tuesday.

Published: 7 May 2024 06:37 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Pollen levels are high. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP)

Austrian Constitutional Minister attacked with fake blood at anti-Semitism conference

On Monday, a fake blood attack targeted Austrian Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) as she arrived at an anti-Semitism conference in Vienna, ORF reported. 

The assailant, identified as a former member of the protest movement Last Generation, poured red paint towards participants at the event entrance.

The attacker claimed the act was a protest against the “normalisation of genocide” and for a “ceasefire” in Gaza but denied anti-Semitic motives. However, political leaders swiftly condemned the assault, emphasising the need to combat extremism and anti-Semitism.

Edtstadler’s office labelled the attack as targeted, emphasising its anti-Semitic nature. 

READ ALSO: New measures against anti-Semitism online

What’s open and what’s closed on Ascension Day in Austria?

On Thursday, it is Ascension Day, or Christi Himmelfahrt in German, one of the many May public holidays this year. Here is what is going on in and around the capital and what will be closed.

Houses remain unaffordable in Vienna, even for higher earners

Despite recent drops in property prices and interest rates, owning a home in Vienna is still out of reach for many average earners. 

A new analysis by durchblicker.at shows that even a double-income household would need to dedicate nearly 60 percent of their income to afford a 90m² new-build apartment. This falls far short of the recommended 40 percent debt repayment rate, according to a Der Standard report.

Government housing initiatives like reduced fees and subsidised loans haven’t significantly improved affordability, particularly for lower-income households. 

Experts suggest alternative models, like cooperative ownership with mandatory purchase options, could be more effective in increasing homeownership rates.

READ ALSO: How much does it cost to buy an apartment in Austria?

Austrian Finance Minister proposes tax-free overtime

Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) has expressed support for making overtime work more attractive by eliminating taxes on overtime pay. 

Currently, only a portion of overtime bonuses is tax-free. Brunner did not provide a concrete timeline for implementing the change, suggesting it would be addressed in the next legislative period after the upcoming national elections.

READ ALSO: Is Austria planning to adopt a longer work week of 41 hours?

Early summer heat triggers early grass pollen season in Austria

Unusually warm weather has triggered an early start to the grass pollen season in Austria, particularly in eastern regions. Experts from Vienna’s Pollen Service warn that allergy sufferers are already experiencing the first symptoms significantly earlier than usual.

“The season began right after the recent cold front,” said Maximilian Bastl of MedUni Vienna. “Due to the high temperatures, some grasses are blooming earlier than expected, making this a unique pollen year.”

Grass pollen allergies are among the most common, affecting a large portion of the population. This is partly due to the widespread presence of sweet grasses in everyday life, responsible for most grass allergies. Meadows, roadsides, parks, and even the Danube’s banks in Vienna are all considered allergy hotspots.

READ ALSO: Where in Austria are pollen levels the highest?

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.

Member comments

  1. Many articles about moving/working and living in Austria focus on foreigners or expats.

    Please produce some articles with a view of people like myself who are considering how to plan a move to Austria as a newly recognized Austrian citizen born and raised abroad. (in my case, born and raised in the US with little to no Austrian German language skills, working in IT).

    Danke!

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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

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

Austria's Intelligence Service highlights growing extremism threats, long waits plaguing the public healthcare system, changing weather and more news from Austria on Friday.

Published: 17 May 2024 07:34 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Austria’s Intelligence Service highlights growing extremism threats

Austria’s domestic intelligence agency, the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN), has released a report on extremism in the country, ORF reported. Right-wing extremism remains a significant threat, with a 30 percent increase in related offences in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner condemned the rise of anti-Semitism and warned of the “mental arson” caused by hateful rhetoric that divides society.

The DSN report also highlights the growing influence of the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East on Austria’s security landscape. According to Karner, the Russian invasion has brought “a new dynamic” to espionage and disinformation efforts. Additionally, the DSN Director, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, noted that the conflict in the Middle East has increased the threat of Islamist extremism in Austria.

The report underscores the evolving nature of extremism. While “old” and “new” forms of right-wing extremism remain a major concern, the DSN also emphasises the threat posed by “denial of the state” ideologies.

Five of the best city hikes in Vienna

If you live in Vienna and want to go hiking, you do not have to travel far. The city is surrounded by hills where you can enjoy well-marked hiking trails. Here, we list some of the most beautiful and interesting ones.

Long waits plague the public healthcare system

A new study by the Vienna Medical Association paints a concerning picture of the city’s public healthcare system. Waiting times for appointments with specialists have increased significantly in recent years, with some specialities experiencing dramatic delays, Austrian media reported.

The study, which involved contacting over 850 doctors’ practices via so-called “mystery calls”, revealed the longest wait times for child and adolescent psychiatry, where patients can expect to wait an average of 90 days for an appointment. This issue wasn’t even tracked in 2012, highlighting a potential surge in demand.

Other specialities facing substantial delays include neurology (45 days), ophthalmology (44 days), and pulmonology (36 days). Wait times for gynaecology have quadrupled compared to 2012, with patients now waiting an average of 32 days.

While some specialities, such as orthopaedics and psychiatry, haven’t seen significant changes, the overall trend is clear – accessing essential healthcare within a reasonable timeframe is becoming increasingly difficult for Viennese residents.

The Medical Association calls for immediate action, urging the health insurance sector to become more attractive and receive better funding. This could involve measures to incentivise doctors to work within the public system, potentially reducing wait times and improving patient access to care.

Austria faces changing Whitsun weather

Austria braces for a changeable Whitsun weekend with showers and thunderstorms likely throughout. Expect sunshine breaks, but pack your rain gear!

Friday and Saturday will be cloudy, with heavy rain showers and occasional thunderstorms—chilly mornings (9-14C) warming to mild afternoons (15-23C).

Sunday will have Sunny skies with scattered rain showers (low chance of storms) and comfortable temperatures (6-11C lows, 20-25C highs).

Whit Monday will start with morning sunshine giving way to afternoon showers and thunderstorms, potentially heavy, especially in the east. The weather will be warm (7-14C lows, 25C high).

Tuesday will be cloudy with widespread showers and thunderstorms, some intense. A sliver of sunshine is possible in the north and east. Cool mornings (8-16C) will be followed by mild highs (17-26C).

The oldest German-language gravestone is Styrian

A team of restorers working in the Styrian parish church of Frauenburg, Austria, has stumbled upon a remarkable discovery—the oldest known German-language gravestone, as ORF reported. The stone, believed to be the final resting place of the minstrel Ulrich von Liechtenstein, who died in 1275, dates back to the 13th century.

Located near the town of Unzmarkt-Frauenburg, the Frauenburg church sits at the foot of a ruined castle of the same name, which was once the favoured residence of von Liechtenstein. The hefty 500-kilogram stone was previously thought to be a Roman inscription plaque, remnants of which are still faintly visible.

According to reports from the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, the team discovered the stone while conducting restoration work. 

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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