News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Social Democrats win Austria’s election

Austria’s Social Democrat party has won yesterday’s general election with 27.1 % of the vote followed by the conservative People’s party on 23.8%, according to provisional results. With losses of around 2%, both parties have fallen to their lowest postwar results. The Freedom party and the Greens increased their share of the vote, to around 21% and 11% respectively. The election established two new parties in parliament, Team Stronach, with just under 6%, and the NEOS, with just under 5%. The BZÖ failed to clear the 4% hurdle and loses all its seats. SPÖ leader and Chancellor, Werner Faymann, has indicated he will seek negotiations with the ÖVP to continue their coalition government. Among the new parties, Team Stronach founder Frank Stronach had said it was his goal to prevent another grand coalition, but welcomed the election result: “No, I’m not disappointed. The most important thing is that we are in the parliament.” Austria’s other new party, the liberal NEOS, is the first party in over 60 years to enter parliament on its first attempt, without any parliamentary presence. Leader Mathias Strolz: “I feel good. It’s been a long journey. We worked hard and people saw that these are people who really have authentic endeavours and so they voted for us.”

US faces government shutdown

The United States is facing a partial government shutdown after Republicans in the House of Representatives refused to pass a budget unless it involved a delay to President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms. Democrats and Republicans are expected to hold last minute negotiations today ahead of the deadline at midnight tonight. The shutdown would mean the closure of all but essential services.

Italy in crisis

Italy is in political crisis after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi withdrew five ministers from his center right party from the coalition government. A number of the ministers have openly disagreed with Berlusconi’s decision. Italy’s centre left Prime Minister Enrico Letta is to call a vote of confidence in his government on Wednesday.

Renewed Iraqi sectarian violence

Iraqi officials say a series of car bombs in Baghdad has killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100, in mainly Shia Muslim districts of the city. The recent upsurge in sectarian violence in Iraq has killed over 4,000 people.

Turkey announces political reforms

Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has proposed political reforms that could give greater representation to Kurds and other minorities, including lowering the electoral threshold. He said towns will be allowed to take Kurdish rather than Turkish names. Erdogan also proposed an end to the ban on women in public service wearing headscarves.

The weather

Mainly cloudy with scattered showers. Drier in the Danube region and the north. Top temps 6 to 16 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English