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MewsAustria, Fritz Hahn Gasse 1, Vienna (2026)

16/03/2026

Austria’s finance minister has rejected claims that the government is profiting significantly from rising fuel prices, pushing back against criticism from the head of the energy company OMV.
Markus Marterbauer said on Monday that the state earns only a small amount from higher fuel prices, responding to accusations from Alfred Stern that the government benefits when petrol becomes more expensive.

Speaking at a press conference, Marterbauer said the government does not make “extra profit” from the situation. According to his calculations, additional revenue from value-added tax amounts to roughly €10 million per month — around 1.3 cents per litre of fuel.

He explained that most fuel-related taxes, such as the mineral oil tax and the CO₂ tax, are fixed per quantity rather than linked to price. This means they do not automatically increase when fuel prices rise. Only VAT rises with higher prices.
However, the minister argued that cutting VAT would not significantly lower prices at the pump. Instead, he suggested that larger profit margins may be occurring elsewhere in the supply chain.
Preliminary findings from a study by the Austrian Federal Competition Authority indicate that international traders and refineries may be benefiting more from recent price increases than the state.

Despite this, Austria’s governing coalition is discussing possible measures to ease the burden on consumers. Options include regulating margins within the fuel supply chain or returning part of the additional VAT revenue to the public. Major tax cuts are considered unlikely due to pressure on the national budget.

Marterbauer also suggested that the root cause of the price surge lies beyond Austria’s borders, pointing to the impact of the Gaza war and broader tensions in the Middle East. Ending the conflict, he said, would be the most effective way to stabilise prices.

Before announcing any concrete measures, the minister said the government would wait for the final results of investigations by the competition authority and the Institute for Advanced Studies, which are expected next week.

16/03/2026

A new dispute has erupted at Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, after board member Peter Westenthaler demanded an emergency meeting of the organisation’s supervisory board over allegations involving its chairman Heinz Lederer.
In a letter sent to fellow members of the ORF Foundation Council, Westenthaler cited recent media reports raising what he described as “serious accusations” against Lederer and called for an immediate special session to address the matter.

According to Westenthaler, the allegations centre on three key issues.

First, Lederer’s name reportedly appeared in billing documents submitted by a former lawyer linked to the collapsed Signa real-estate group of René Benko. The invoices were connected to legal consultations concerning ORF reporting that were allegedly not authorised.

Second, a journalist publicly accused Lederer on social media of attempting to intervene after an ORF cover story in her magazine reportedly displeased him. The journalist claimed he had applied pressure by phone, describing the article as a “declaration of war against ORF” and allegedly warning of possible consequences.

The third allegation concerns a business relationship with the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV). Critics say the relationship coincided with a multi-million-euro sports rights agreement between ORF and the federation, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and compliance with ORF regulations.

Westenthaler said the claims required urgent clarification. “These allegations are serious and must be addressed immediately. There is a risk of further damage if the matter is not dealt with promptly,” he wrote in the letter.

He added that neither the ORF supervisory board nor the broadcaster’s management could allow the organisation to suffer “continued and substantial reputational harm” while the accusations remained unresolved.

Westenthaler has therefore called for an extraordinary meeting of the ORF Foundation Council to examine the allegations and determine the next steps.

16/03/2026

A 34-year-old man arrested after a deadly stabbing in the Austrian city of Linz had previously served prison time for a similar knife attack, authorities say.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Bismarckstraße in central Linz and has shocked the country. Investigators are currently deciding whether the suspect, a Croatian national, will be placed in pre-trial detention as further details about his criminal history emerge.

According to prosecutors, the man is already known to the justice system and has four prior convictions, several of them involving violence.
His first conviction dates back to 2010 when he was sentenced under juvenile law for intentionally causing serious bodily harm. He received a partially suspended prison sentence but was released after serving the mandatory portion in pre-trial detention.

In the years that followed, he was convicted twice more for drug-related and property offences, receiving financial penalties. However, the most serious offence came later.

Prosecutors say that in 2017 the man stabbed a stranger in the stomach. In 2018 he was sentenced to two years in prison for intentionally causing serious bodily harm. After serving his sentence, authorities say he did not attract further criminal attention for several years.

The latest incident unfolded on Saturday evening when the suspect allegedly began shouting at a driver on Bismarckstraße. Three young Afghan men witnessed the argument and confronted him before entering a nearby barbershop.

Investigators believe the suspect waited outside and followed them. When the men later left the shop, the situation escalated.

Police say the suspect stabbed a 24-year-old man in the neck from behind. The victim’s two companions fled in panic, but a 26-year-old man fell to the ground. The attacker allegedly kicked him in the head and stabbed him several times in the upper body before fleeing.

14/03/2026

‎A property owner from Vienna has expressed shock after local authorities in the Austrian municipality of Hohentauern sharply increased sewer usage fees for his holiday home.

‎Franz S., who has owned a small vacation house in the alpine village for the past six years, said the latest bill came as a major surprise. The annual sewer charge for 2026 has risen to €1,092, compared with €369 in 2025 — an increase of roughly 200 percent.

‎“This is simply unbelievable,” he said, noting that he has already spent tens of thousands of euros renovating the property. According to Franz, he has tried to support the local economy by hiring craftsmen from the surrounding region for the renovation work.

‎The property is mainly rented out to tourists as a holiday home, while Franz and his two children only visit occasionally. Until now, he said the house had largely been a break-even investment because of ongoing maintenance costs. With the higher fees, however, he expects to incur further losses.

‎“I still have to renovate the terrace for around €6,500. With the new charges, I could easily end up in the red,” he said.

‎Local officials in Hohentauern told Austrian media that the increase was necessary because sewer fees must cover operational costs. They said the previous charges had not been sufficient in recent years.

‎Authorities added that holiday homes are particularly affected by the changes. In some areas without water meters, a flat-rate fee is applied instead.

‎Franz said he understands that some increase may be necessary but believes the sudden jump is excessive. He also warned that rising costs could discourage property owners from renting out holiday homes in the area.

‎“Many owners are already thinking about stopping rentals altogether,” he said. “If prices keep rising, staying in Hohentauern could become less attractive for visitors.”
‎

14/03/2026

‎A planned government measure to limit fuel price increases in Austria may ultimately hurt consumers rather than help them, according to a leading fuel retailer.

‎Jürgen Stichenwirth, managing director of the Austrian branch of the Polish energy group Orlen, which operates around 260 Turmöl fuel stations across the country, said the proposal could unintentionally drive prices higher.

‎Under the government’s new plan, filling stations would only be allowed to increase fuel prices three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — instead of adjusting them daily as they do now. The policy is expected to take effect on Monday.

‎The move is part of an effort by Austria’s coalition government — made up of the Austrian People's Party, the Social Democratic Party of Austria and the NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum — to bring more stability to fuel prices. However, the government has opted not to introduce a direct fuel price cap or reduce taxes on fuel.

‎Stichenwirth said he was surprised by the proposal and doubts it will have the intended effect.

‎“Instead of lowering prices, the measure could lead to even higher costs for diesel and petrol,” he told Austrian newspaper.

‎According to the fuel executive, the restriction could turn pricing into a guessing game for operators. If stations are unable to adjust prices daily, some may raise prices more aggressively in advance to protect themselves against potential increases in global oil costs.

‎“Operators may set higher prices out of concern that they will not be able to react quickly enough to market changes,” he said.

‎Fuel prices in Austria have already risen sharply in recent weeks. By Wednesday afternoon, the nationwide average price of diesel had reached €1.927 per litre — roughly one-third higher than a month earlier.

‎Stichenwirth acknowledged that many drivers are increasingly frustrated by the rising cost of fuel. Meanwhile, global crude oil prices continue to climb, suggesting that fuel costs could remain elevated in the near future.
‎

14/03/2026

Austria’s public broadcaster, Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), is facing what many describe as the most serious crisis in its history, following the sudden resignation of its director-general, Roland Weißmann. The controversy, initially triggered by inappropriate messages allegedly sent to a female employee, has since widened into a broader scandal involving internal power struggles, high executive salaries and political influence.

The situation has exposed deep tensions within the broadcaster. When ORF was first required by politicians in 2024 to disclose the salaries of its highest-paid employees, attention initially focused on radio host Robert Kratky, who became a public symbol of high earnings within the organisation. However, recent revelations show that the highest salary is earned by ORF manager Pius Strobl, whose annual pay of €452,000 exceeds that of Austria’s president.

The salary disclosures have further fuelled criticism after it emerged that provisions of about €2.4 million had reportedly been set aside for a luxury pension arrangement for Strobl. Weißmann is said to have opposed the plan shortly before his resignation.

Additional questions have also arisen over the handling of the scandal by ORF’s supervisory leadership. Critics say serious allegations against a senior executive were not addressed publicly for nearly a week, a delay that would be unacceptable in most major organisations.

The crisis has also renewed debate about ORF’s funding. The broadcaster operates with an annual budget of around €1 billion, financed largely through a household broadcasting levy that brings in roughly €750 million per year, alongside about €235 million in advertising revenue and other income streams.

With these funds, ORF runs four television channels, 12 radio stations and extensive digital platforms. According to the article, the average employee salary at the broadcaster stands at about €7,085 gross per month, paid 14 times per year.
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13/03/2026

A large number of used cars are being offered at prices significantly higher than their actual value, according to a recent review by the Upper Austria Chamber of Labour (AK).

The consumer organisation analysed 35 used-car listings from 23 dealers in the cities of Linz, Steyr and Wels, as well as surrounding areas. The vehicles in the study were priced between €10,890 and €39,990.

The findings show that most of the cars were listed above their estimated market value. On average, asking prices were around 12% higher than the calculated value.

Out of the 35 vehicles examined, 32 were advertised at prices exceeding their Eurotax valuation, while only three were slightly cheaper than the estimated worth.

One example highlighted in the report involved a Volvo V60 Geartronic first registered in September 2021. The difference between the dealer’s asking price and the calculated market value exceeded €8,500.

The Chamber of Labour advises buyers to check the value of used cars before making a purchase. Using an online calculator, consumers can estimate a vehicle’s Eurotax sales value by entering details such as the make, model, registration date and mileage.

The service is free to use and accessible on smartphones and tablets, allowing buyers to quickly determine whether the price of a used car is reasonable before completing a purchase.

13/03/2026

Austria is set to experience strikingly different weather conditions this weekend, with spring-like warmth in the east and heavy snowfall in the western Alpine regions.

According to meteorologist Manuel Oberhuber, temperatures in eastern areas such as Lower Austria could reach around 20°C, while parts of western Austria may see snowfall and temperatures near freezing.

The snowfall is expected to affect mainly Vorarlberg and Tyrol, where snow could fall even in lower valleys. In higher mountain regions, 10 to 30 centimetres of fresh snow is forecast.

Neighbouring regions are likely to be hit even harder. Meteorologists say the Alps in southern Switzerland and northern Italy could experience some of the heaviest snowfall in the world over the coming days. In the regions of Ticino and Piedmont, snowfall could reach up to 120 centimetres by Sunday morning.

Swiss authorities have already issued a level-3 weather warning, effective from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday, particularly for areas above 600 metres altitude. In locations above 1,000 metres, snowfall could reach up to 80 centimetres, while areas above 600 metres may receive 10 to 30 centimetres.

Weather experts say a nearly stationary air-mass boundary across the Alps will shape conditions over the weekend. The development of a low-pressure system over northern Italy is expected to bring unsettled weather first to western and southwestern Austria.

While clouds and precipitation increase in the west, eastern parts of the country will initially remain milder and windier due to foehn winds, with sunshine at times.

Rain is expected to spread into western Austria by Saturday afternoon, with the snowline dropping to around 600 metres later in the evening in the far west.

On Sunday, rain and snow are expected along the northern Alps, with snowfall reaching some valleys in western regions. As the day progresses, the snowline will rise to around 1,000 metres, and conditions should gradually dry out.
‎

12/03/2026

After hours of negotiations, Austria’s coalition government has failed to reach an agreement on introducing a cap on fuel prices. Instead, a smaller measure has been adopted that will limit how often petrol stations can raise prices each week.

The dispute highlights deep divisions within the government. The conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) had pushed for tax reductions to ease fuel costs, while the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) advocated direct market intervention through a cap on profit margins. The liberal NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum largely supported the ÖVP position but remained relatively reserved during the talks.

Instead of introducing a full fuel price cap, the government agreed on a limited step aimed at reducing extreme price fluctuations.

Under the new rules, petrol stations will only be allowed to increase prices on three days per week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Price reductions, however, will still be permitted at any time.

The government is also taking steps involving national energy reserves. The duration of the country’s strategic gas reserve will be extended, and state oil reserves will be partially released in an effort to ease price pressures.

Officials say that releasing these reserves in coordination with international partners could also help stabilize fuel prices globally.

Despite the failed negotiations, the government said discussions on a comprehensive fuel price cap will continue. Lawmakers are working on a legal framework that would allow authorities to respond more quickly and decisively to future fuel price crises.

The proposal also stresses that any future model should ensure that neither the state nor energy companies profit excessively during periods of crisis while maintaining secure energy supplies.

12/03/2026

Austria’s federal government spent €9.7 million on expense claims in just three months, according to official records, with taxpayers covering a range of costs that included catering, promotional items and even football match attendance.

The figures emerged after ministers responded to a parliamentary inquiry by the Freedom Party (FPÖ) regarding government spending in the final quarter of 2025. While large expenses such as advertising and official events made up a significant portion of the total, the list also included several unusual items.

Among the highest expenses were more than €60,000 spent on catering by Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann and nearly €500,000 on advertising by Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

Sports Minister Andreas Babler also faced scrutiny after inviting Bosnia-Herzegovina’s deputy prime minister, Zukan Helez, as a guest to a World Cup qualifying football match between Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The visit cost taxpayers around €3,700. In addition, a reception for European champions in American football included €672 for photographs and €5,317 for catering.

Chancellor Christian Stocker hosted former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, founder of the Austrian World Summit climate conference, during the event in Vienna. The visit cost a comparatively modest €211.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger also commissioned a €5,400 logo design for the opening of Austria’s cultural forum in Accra, Ghana. Other purchases included 250 beach towels costing €7,350, over 6,000 snack packs worth more than €15,700, and thousands of chocolate wafers and sweets distributed during national celebrations.

Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann spent €9,915 on umbrellas to be given away at volunteer fairs and €4,770 on organic health shots as promotional items.

Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig funded a marketing campaign for a mascot known as “Biber Berti”, which cost €16,200, along with nearly €8,000 for brochures featuring the character.

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