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.
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.
Dieser Angriff auf @k_edtstadler und @DeutschOskar ist eine Grenzüberschreitung. Extremismus und Antisemitismus sind Gift für unsere Gesellschaft! Wir werden diese Formen von Extremismus weiterhin mit allen rechtsstaatlichen Mitteln bekämpfen! https://t.co/kstSyCndj2
— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) May 6, 2024
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.
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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.
Dieser Angriff auf @k_edtstadler und @DeutschOskar ist eine Grenzüberschreitung. Extremismus und Antisemitismus sind Gift für unsere Gesellschaft! Wir werden diese Formen von Extremismus weiterhin mit allen rechtsstaatlichen Mitteln bekämpfen! https://t.co/kstSyCndj2
— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) May 6, 2024
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.
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