https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Austria’s next presidential election is still two years away, but parties are already weighing in on who could succeed the Green Party-backed Alexander Van der Bellen in the Hofburg. https://www.thelocal.at/20260407/why-austrias-2028-presidential-race-is-opening-up-as-van-der-bellen-steps-aside Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:11:54 +0200 why-austrias-2028-presidential-race-is-opening-up-as-van-der-bellen-steps-aside Non-EU nationals living in Europe don't have many voting rights but some countries do allow them to cast a ballot in local elections. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.at/20220218/explained-where-in-europe-can-non-eu-foreigners-vote-in-local-elections Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:40:39 +0100 explained-where-in-europe-can-non-eu-foreigners-vote-in-local-elections Vienna’s new city parliament includes history students, restaurateurs, returnees, and political heavyweights. Here’s who’s in, who’s out, and what’s next. https://www.thelocal.at/20250514/meet-the-newcomers-reshaping-viennas-politics-after-the-2025-election Wed, 14 May 2025 11:44:43 +0200 meet-the-newcomers-reshaping-viennas-politics-after-the-2025-election Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has confirmed that the centre-left SPÖ will continue governing with the liberal Neos, opting for continuity and stability after the 2025 municipal elections. https://www.thelocal.at/20250505/viennas-red-pink-coalition-returns-as-spo-confirms-neos-alliance Mon, 05 May 2025 14:08:28 +0200 viennas-red-pink-coalition-returns-as-spo-confirms-neos-alliance Vienna’s Social Democrats retained control of the city after Sunday’s election, although the far-right FPÖ tripled its support compared to 2020, projections show. https://www.thelocal.at/20250427/centre-left-spo-retains-vienna-but-far-right-triples-its-vote Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:30:47 +0200 centre-left-spo-retains-vienna-but-far-right-triples-its-vote As Vienna prepares for municipal elections, the SPÖ is expected to stay in power despite growing pressure from the far-right FPÖ, which is gaining ground nationally. https://www.thelocal.at/20250425/viennas-social-democrats-brace-for-far-right-surge-in-city-election Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:48:59 +0200 viennas-social-democrats-brace-for-far-right-surge-in-city-election EU citizens in Vienna can’t vote for the mayor, but they can shape life in their district by casting their votes in the district council elections. Here’s what powers the Viennese districts have. https://www.thelocal.at/20250422/why-your-vote-for-viennas-district-leaders-matters-more-than-you-think Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:29:16 +0200 why-your-vote-for-viennas-district-leaders-matters-more-than-you-think On April 27th, Vienna voters - including EU citizens - will elect their local district councils. Here’s who’s running, who currently leads, and where the biggest shifts may happen. https://www.thelocal.at/20250418/viennas-district-elections-key-parties-candidates-and-battlegrounds Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:18:18 +0200 viennas-district-elections-key-parties-candidates-and-battlegrounds A convicted Austrian far-right extremist will stand as a candidate in Vienna for the city's local elections later this month, after his conviction went unnoticed. https://www.thelocal.at/20250415/convicted-austrian-far-right-extremist-to-appear-on-ballot-in-vienna-elections Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:57:39 +0200 convicted-austrian-far-right-extremist-to-appear-on-ballot-in-vienna-elections With business taxes, climate policy, and employment laws on the table, Austria’s WKO elections could have long-term consequences. https://www.thelocal.at/20250310/low-turnout-big-impact-why-austrias-chamber-of-commerce-elections-are-crucial-this-year Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:59:15 +0100 low-turnout-big-impact-why-austrias-chamber-of-commerce-elections-are-crucial-this-year Despite leading Austria’s largest party in the election, Kickl’s refusal to compromise has left the FPÖ in opposition—but he insists victory is only 'delayed'. https://www.thelocal.at/20250306/austrias-far-right-leader-doubles-down-on-hard-opposition-after-missing-chance-to-govern Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:00:34 +0100 austrias-far-right-leader-doubles-down-on-hard-opposition-after-missing-chance-to-govern Christian Stocker’s steady, pragmatic style helped him rise to Austria’s top job. His biggest test now is keeping the coalition together. https://www.thelocal.at/20250303/calm-and-pragmatic-who-is-austrias-new-chancellor-christian-stocker Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:41:16 +0100 calm-and-pragmatic-who-is-austrias-new-chancellor-christian-stocker Austria’s new government officially took office this Monday, with key policy changes expected in housing, pensions, and immigration. https://www.thelocal.at/20250303/austrias-new-leaders-take-office-after-months-of-political-negotiations Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:25:36 +0100 austrias-new-leaders-take-office-after-months-of-political-negotiations Austria’s ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS coalition has unveiled its government programme, with key changes in housing, pensions, and immigration. https://www.thelocal.at/20250227/what-changes-people-in-austria-can-expect-under-the-new-government Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:40:22 +0100 what-changes-people-in-austria-can-expect-under-the-new-government Austria’s coalition agreement is set between ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS leaders, but political tensions and party votes will decide if the government takes office next week. https://www.thelocal.at/20250227/breaking-austria-settles-on-new-government-as-three-parties-agree-on-coalition Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:36:06 +0100 breaking-austria-settles-on-new-government-as-three-parties-agree-on-coalition With a financial deal now in place, Austria is one step closer to a new government. But what challenges remain, and how could this affect future policies? https://www.thelocal.at/20250220/austria-moves-closer-to-a-government-as-budget-deal-takes-shape Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:30 +0100 austria-moves-closer-to-a-government-as-budget-deal-takes-shape The ÖVP and SPÖ are in exploratory talks to form a coalition. Budget disagreements and political distrust remain key obstacles to reaching an agreement. https://www.thelocal.at/20250217/could-austria-see-a-grand-coalition-as-centre-right-and-centre-left-begin-discussions Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:03:17 +0100 could-austria-see-a-grand-coalition-as-centre-right-and-centre-left-begin-discussions Austria’s political deadlock means the country is operating without a new budget. While public services remain funded, borrowing and new investments face restrictions. https://www.thelocal.at/20250213/no-new-budget-how-austrias-political-crisis-affects-public-spending Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:57:40 +0100 no-new-budget-how-austrias-political-crisis-affects-public-spending After the collapse of FPÖ-ÖVP coalition talks, Austria faces weeks of political uncertainty. So what's likely to happen next? https://www.thelocal.at/20250213/what-happens-next-as-austria-struggles-to-form-a-new-government Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:34:00 +0100 what-happens-next-as-austria-struggles-to-form-a-new-government Austria’s far-right-led coalition talks collapsed on Wednesday after FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl withdrew from negotiations. https://www.thelocal.at/20250212/breaking-austrias-far-right-led-coalition-talks-collapse Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:01:24 +0100 breaking-austrias-far-right-led-coalition-talks-collapse