Syrian delivery driver who rammed car into attacker hailed as hero in Austria

Villach mayor praises Alaaeddin al-Halabi, who intervened in knife attack that killed 14-year-old and injured five othersA Syrian migrant living in Austria has been hailed as a hero after he rammed his car into an attacker, bringing down a radicalised …

Austria stabbing that killed teenager was Islamist attack, minister says

Targeting of passersby in southern city of Villach had โ€˜IS connectionsโ€™, says interior ministerA stabbing that left a teenager dead and five others injured in southern Austria was an Islamist attack, Austriaโ€™s interior minister has said.โ€œIt is an Islam…

What’s next? Austria’s political crisis deepens after failed coalition talks with far right

PRESS REVIEW โ€“ Thursday, February 13: The political crisis in Austria deepens after coalition government talks fail once again and far-right leader Herbert Kickl gives back the mandate to form a coalition. What’s next? Also: French Prime Minister Fran…

Talks to form far-right-led coalition government in Austria collapse

Disagreements over key posts and issues like migration mean snap election is likely, with far-right Freedom party ahead in pollsEurope live โ€“ latest updatesAustriaโ€™s Freedom party (FPร–) has ended coalition talks with the conservatives on forming the co…

Austrian trade and industry bodies call for root-and-branch review of Green Deal laws

The head of Austriaโ€™s chamber of commerce, leading conservative politician Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, has called on the EU executive to roll back a swathe of Green Deal regulations in its ongoing war on red tape, while the European insurance industry l…

Looking at Trump, Europeโ€™s far right vows to โ€˜reconquerโ€™ the continent

โ€œOur friend Trump, the Trump tornado, has changed the world in just a couple of weeks,โ€ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbรกn tells far-right rally in Madrid.

Germanyโ€™s old-school conservatism is well and truly over

Even if Merz stumbles across the finish line and secures a coalition government, the death knell for Christian democracy may well have been sounded.

German far right may benefit most from Merzโ€™s self-inflicted wound

Conservative leader’s gambit to weaken the postwar ‘firewall’ may be a boon for the AfD ahead of a national election.

โ€˜Vicious cycleโ€™: far-right parties across Europe are inspiring imitators

Hardline agendas, especially on immigration, are copied by mainstream conservatives in vain effort to win back votesFar-right parties could become the largest force on the right in Europe within a decade, experts have said, as mainstream conservative p…

Austriaโ€™s Kurz blames Merkel for far-right AfD rise in Germany

โ€œWithout the migration policies since 2015, the AfD wouldnโ€™t be anywhere near this strong,โ€ says Vienna’s former conservative chancellor.

How Vladimir Putin killed the EUโ€™s frugal coalition

The need to counter Russia is shifting the attitudes of rich northern countries on budget discipline.

Orbรกn, Le Pen to hold โ€˜Make Europe Great Againโ€™ rally in Madrid

Patriots party prepping up grand far-right lovefest.

My grandpa chose not to speak about his Holocaust experiences โ€“ but he asked me to tell the world | Ella Garai-Ebner

As the grandchild of a survivor, Iโ€™m proud to keep his testimony alive, in the hope that people never forget the horrors humanity is capable ofYesterday, I watched A Real Pain in the cinema. The film is a beautiful representation of two cousins, united…

Germanyโ€™s Habeck warns of an Austria-style right-wing wave

The economy minister and Green Party chancellor candidate says Germany could follow Austriaโ€™s far-right path, as the CDU signals willingness to erode its firewall against the AfD ahead of a pivotal election.

Salzburg loses exclusive claim to famous Mozart chocolates

Austriaโ€™s souvenir Mozartkugeln will no longer be made in composerโ€™s home city after factory bankruptcyVisitors to Salzburg can hardly escape merchandise linked to its favourite son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with T-shirts, golf balls and Playmobil figu…

US thinktank climate science deniers working with rightwingers in EU parliament

Representatives of Heartland Institute linking up with MEPs to campaign against environmental policiesClimate science deniers from a US-based thinktank have been working with rightwing politicians in Europe to campaign against environmental policies, t…

Austriaโ€™s โ€˜firewallโ€™ against the far right collapsed. Could the unthinkable happen in Germany too? | John Kampfner

Events in Vienna are forcing Germanyโ€™s bickering mainstream parties to rally together. But the AfD could yet outflank the centreCould Germany go the way of Austria? Could the party of the far right be invited to form a government? What was previously d…

Austriaโ€™s central bank chief: Donโ€™t fear the far right

ECB rate-setter also warns that inflation risks are on the rise and that a January rate cut is not a done deal.

Putinโ€™s grip on Belarus sickens opponents of Lukashenko regime

Dissidents despair at the Russian presidentโ€™s influence ahead of this monthโ€™s rigged election.ย 

Austrian far right scores victory as EU Commission approves budget plan

But Brussels will nevertheless be “keeping an eye” on Vienna’s budget situation over the coming months.
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Defiant Starmer declares he wants 10 years as UK PM

After Elon Musk’s call for him to be ousted, Britainโ€™s prime minister reveals his thinking on the next election date and vows to complete a full second term in No. 10.

Austria is set for a far-right chancellor. For the EU itโ€™s the โ€˜new normalโ€™

If Herbert Kickl becomes chancellor, Vienna will join list of disruptive member states, putting EU policies in perilWhen Austriaโ€™s Freedom party (FPร–) entered government 25 years ago, shock waves reverberated around Europe. Punitive measures were impos…

UKโ€™s Starmer to sign 100-year treaty with Zelenskyy in Ukraine

British leaderโ€™s trip comes at a key moment, with peace talks on the horizon as Donald Trump returns to power and threatens to shake up the dynamics of war.

Austria โ€˜should really leaveโ€™ EU, says far right MP in secret video

FPร– members were also caught on camera ridiculing the ร–VP, their likely future coalition partner.
The post Austria ‘should really leave’ EU, says far right MP in secret video appeared first on Euractiv.

Austriaโ€™s Kickl brings Europeโ€™s anti-populist firewall crashing down

Herbert Kickl’s rise ends a firewall that has kept populist politicians out of power in EU countries for decades.

Keep calm, Austriaโ€™s acting leader tells EU as far right looms

Alexander Schallenberg reassures officials that pro-Russian chancellor would be restrained.

The Guardian view on globalisation and its discontents: how the left was left behind | Editorial

As national populist parties gain ground in the west, progressives must put social and climate priorities ahead of market interestsDifferent year, same direction of travel. The likely formation of the first far-right-led government in Austriaโ€™s postwar…

Donโ€™t freak out: Austria tries to reassure Brussels amid far rightโ€™s bid for power

Interim leader Alexander Schallenberg says Austria “will remain a reliable, constructive and strong partner.”

Germanyโ€™s Baerbock cautions on Syria as EU signals sanctions relief

Syria’s transitional government โ€œsounds good so far,” Germany’s foreign minister told POLITICO โ€” but actions speak louder than words.

How Austriaโ€™s new leader could test the EU and what Brussels can do to push back

Host Giada Santana interviews Euractiv’s Editor-in-Chief Matthew Karnitschnig to unpack Austriaโ€™s political shift and implications for Europe.
The post How Austriaโ€™s new leader could test the EU and what Brussels can do to push back appeared first on E…

Germanyโ€™s far right seeks electoral legitimacy from Trump administration

The AfD is using Elon Muskโ€™s endorsement to reach out to Donald Trump โ€” and to appear more acceptable at home ahead of a national election.

Protests against rising far right party draw tens of thousands in Austria

With the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) leading the Austrian government’s coalition talks for the first time in the country’s history, an estimated 50,000 people rallied in Vienna to urge the conservative People’s Party (OeVP) not to join forces with …

FM Schallenberg to be Austriaโ€™s interim chancellor as far right waits in the wings

Anti-immigrant Freedom Party chief Herbert Kickl is currently in pole position to get the job permanently.

In Austriaโ€™s Kickl, the EU has its next Orbรกn

Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since World War II. Europe’s mainstream sees trouble brewing.

Austriaโ€™s far-right leader to invite centre right for coalition talks

Herbert Kicklโ€™s move could pave way for anti-immigration, pro-Kremlin Freedom party to govern countryThe leader of Austriaโ€™s anti-immigration, pro-Kremlin Freedom party has said he intends to invite the mainstream centre-right party for coalition talks…

Austrian far right looks to assert dominance in coalition talks, hails โ€˜new eraโ€™

Far-right leader Herbert Kickl says he’s prepared for new elections if his party can’t find a submissive junior partner.

Headless Europe: As the crises mount, the continentโ€™s leaders are AWOL

Political uncertainty in several EU countries could weaken the bloc’s hand in talks with Donald Trump.
The post Headless Europe: As the crises mount, the continent’s leaders are AWOL appeared first on Euractiv.

5 green targets EU countries will (mostly) miss in 2025

EU countries are behind on most, if not all, their sustainability commitments.

Austriaโ€™s far-right Freedom party tasked with forming coalition government

Austrian president asks anti-migration, pro-Kremlin Freedom FPร– to begin negotiations with conservative ร–VPAustriaโ€™s president has tasked the anti-migration, pro-Kremlin Freedom party (FPร–) with holding talks to form a ruling coalition, potentially pav…

Austria’s president tasks far right leader with forming new coalition government

Austriaโ€™s president on Monday tasked far-right Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl with trying to form a new government after a failed attempt by outgoingย Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Nehammer announced his resignation on Saturday after coalition talks co…

Far-right Herbert Kickl gets his chance to form government in Austria

Anti-immigrant and Russia-friendly FPร– is now in pole position to lead in Vienna.

Austriaโ€™s far-right rattles the gates of power

The Freedom Party is in the driver’s seat to lead the next government after the centre right agreed to coalition talks.
The post Austriaโ€™s far-right rattles the gates of power appeared first on Euractiv.

Austriaโ€™s president to meet far-right leader amid coalition speculation

โ€˜New pathโ€™ to power may be opening for FPร– after collapse of talks between countryโ€™s centrist partiesAustriaโ€™s president has said he will meet the leader of the countryโ€™s far-right Freedom party (FPร–), amid speculation that the pro-Kremlin, anti-Islam …

Austrian chancellor quits as coalition talks collapse

The coalition talks’ collapse three months after September’s parliamentary election underscores the growing difficulty of forming stable governments in European countries.
The post Austrian chancellor quits as coalition talks collapse appeared first on…

Coalition talks between Austriaโ€™s two biggest centrist parties collapse

Chancellor Karl Nehammer to step down after failure to form government without far-right Freedom partyTalks between the two biggest centrist parties in Austria on forming a coalition government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) have collapsed, …

Austrian liberal party quits coalition talks leaving negotiations in disarray

Surprise move by Neos raises doubts about viability of forming centrist government excluding far rightThe smallest of three parties in talks to form Austriaโ€™s next government has unexpectedly quit the negotiations, throwing into disarray an effort to f…

Austriaโ€™s coalition talks in disarray as parties fail to unite against far right

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party won the September election but has been shut out of government negotiations.

Cutting off Russian gas to EU will have โ€˜drasticโ€™ impact, Slovak PM warns

Top Putin ally has threatened to retaliate against Kyiv.

POLITICOโ€™s most-read stories of 2024

Elections, war and porn: The stories that captured your attention over the past 12 months.

Europeโ€™s slow but โ€˜inevitableโ€™ march to allow assisted dying

The U.K. is the latest country to move toward legalizing the controversial yet evermore popular practice.

Ukraine war briefing: more than 3,000 North Korean military casualties in Russiaโ€™s Kursk, claims Zelenskyy

Ukraine president criticises world leaders for doing โ€˜almost nothingโ€™ to counteract Moscowโ€™s military cooperation with Pyongyang. What we know on day 1,035Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wound…

Austria says it is reviewing the status of Syrian refugees

The caretaker government clarified that the initial focus will be on voluntary deportations.
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Putin vows no new Russian gas deal for EU as Orbรกn, Fico plead for extension

An agreement that allows Moscow to pump fuel via Ukraine is set to expire at the end of the year.

Berlin to abolish controversial gas transit fee with support from CDU leader

A controversial German gas tariff contested by Central European countries will be abolished on Friday, Euractiv has learnt.
The post Berlin to abolish controversial gas transit fee with support from CDU leader appeared first on Euractiv.

Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukraine gas transit as EU stays out of talks

Slovakia, receiving gas from Russia via pipelines in Ukraine, has been in talks to try to avoid Russian gas flows stopping when a transit contract between Kyiv and Moscow expires at the end of the year.
The post Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukra…

Central European energy firms push for extension on Russian gas transit dealย 

The companies’ plea to the EU comes as the region faces a gas supply cutoff from Moscow via Ukraine later this month.

Macron canโ€™t count on Meloni to kill the EUโ€™s trade deal with South America

France hopes Italy can tip the scales against the EU-Mercosur trade deal. Giorgia Meloni may have other ideas.

Romania and Bulgaria get the Schengen green light

The internal land borders will be lifted as of January.

Bulgaria, Greece fine-tune details to lift border controls

EU interior ministers are expected today (12 December) to rubber-stamp the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen by land.
The post Bulgaria, Greece fine-tune details to lift border controls appeared first on Euractiv.

Europeโ€™s Syrians shaken by debate over repatriation to their war-ravaged homeland

For many Syrian refugees in Europe, joy at the fall of Assad has been tempered by immediate calls for them to go home.

Germany to enable โ€˜voluntary, secureโ€™ returns for Syrian refugees

The foreign office in Berlin has scripted an eight-point plan for a free and democratic Syria.

Herbert Kickl

Disrupter No. 7 โ€” Austria

Germany and France agree to work with Syrian rebels on โ€˜basis of fundamental human rightsโ€™

Western capitals are debating how to engage with the Syrian rebels, who are led by a group that is a designated terrorist organization.

European countries suspend Syrian asylum bids following Assad’s fall

A growing number of European countries including Austria, Britain, Germany, Sweden and Norway on Monday announced they were suspending their processing of Syrian asylum applications after rebels ousted the countryโ€™s dictator Bashar al-Assad over the w…

Austria prepares to deport Syrian migrants after Assad regime falls

Belgium, Germany, Greece and Austria said they will halt Syrian asylum applications one day after rebel forces ousted the country’s dictator.