SPÖ state secretary floats referendum idea on inheritance tax
SPÖ state secretary Michaela Schmidt has said she could imagine putting inheritance tax to a public referendum, according to Kurier. Her comments come after Chancellor Christian Stocker announced plans for a referendum on extending military service.
Schmidt described Stocker’s announcement as positioning at an ÖVP party event, but said a referendum could create momentum for “decisive questions”. She said the government programme requires unity within the coalition on referendums, which would rule out unilateral moves.
Schmidt argued that rising costs, alongside the absence of a tax on large inheritances, made inheritance tax a subject that could be put to the public.
Kurz-linked “Global Shift Institute” plan fuels comeback speculation
Former chancellor Sebastian Kurz has helped set up a structure that could become the “Global Shift Institute”, according to Der Standard. The institute is expected to start work no earlier than autumn, the report added.
The company, originally founded in 2024, was repurposed in December 2025, with activities listed including publishing content, organising events and offering paid membership programmes. The company is jointly owned via firms linked to Kurz and his longtime associate Bernhard Bonelli. This movement by Austria’s former chancellor and Wunderkind, has left political actors floating the idea of a possible Kurz return to politics – he resigned amid corruption allegations in 2021.
Kurz’s circle has denied any plans for a political vehicle.
Styrian woman reportedly had healthy lung removed after alleged misdiagnosis
A Styrian woman had a lung removed in 2024 after being diagnosed with lung cancer, but it later emerged that it was unlikely to have been cancer, according to ORF Steiermark. The woman, 48, underwent surgery at a private clinic in Graz after the operation could not be carried out at a public hospital due to a long waiting list.
A CT scan showed inflammatory but no tumorous structures, while a tissue sample and histological findings reportedly indicated adenocarcinoma. After the surgery, it turned out the woman did not have lung cancer.
The woman’s lawyer is demanding compensation from KAGes, alleging an incorrect diagnosis. KAGes is not commenting due to ongoing proceedings.
Warning level 4 issued for parts of East Tyrol as avalanche risk rises
Parts of East Tyrol are facing a high avalanche danger level from Thursday, with warning level 4 issued above 1,800 metres for areas including the Carnic Ridge, the Lienz Dolomites and the Deferegger Alps, according to Die Presse. There’s forecast snowfall and weak snowpack conditions.
In other parts of East Tyrol and along the main Alpine ridge from the Silvretta to the Hohe Tauern, the situation is also tense, with danger level 3 in place for now. Avalanche service official Norbert Lanzanasto urged restraint away from secured pistes.
Larger amounts of fresh snow are expected in Carinthia on Wednesday and Thursday, with weather warnings issued for parts of the Hermagor district and a stretch of the Drau valley, and chain requirements reported on multiple roads.
What’s happening in Austria today
Austria’s upper house, the Bundesrat, is due to meet in Vienna from 9 am, with a package of recent Nationalrat decisions up for debate and a vote. The sitting starts with an inaugural speech by Bundesrat President Markus Stotter, followed by an “Aktuelle Stunde” with Justice Minister Anna Sporrer on reform plans in marriage law.
Tyrol’s Landtag continues its February sitting in Innsbruck from 9 am. Carinthia’s Landtag is also set to meet in Klagenfurt from 9 am, with question time first and agenda items including changes to regional planning and energy-related laws.
Rail travellers heading towards Germany should expect timetable changes due to works running through February 6th, with changes affecting cross-border services via the German “Deutsches Eck”. In Vienna, ÖBB daytime works on the S80 continue, with weekday services not running between 10am and 7pm on the Wien Hauptbahnhof to Wien Aspern Nord section.
Schools in Vienna and Lower Austria remain closed for the semester holidays, which run from February 2nd to February 7th. GeoSphere Austria is flagging widespread cloud and precipitation today, with snow mainly above around 1,000 to 1,500 metres, and a yellow snow and ice warning is listed for Vienna’s Innere Stadt until 10pm.
Coming up later on The Local
One reader shares her Austrian citizenship journey, including the hurdles of the application process and the complicated feelings around having to renounce her original nationality.
Vocabulary
die Volksbefragung – public referendum
die Erbschaftssteuer – inheritance tax
der Wehrdienst – military service
die Lawinengefahr – avalanche danger
die Gefahrenstufe – danger level
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.
Comments