Opinion and Analysis
Read the latest opinion and analysis from Austria.
OPINION: Austria’s hatred for air conditioning is just cultural stubbornness
Austria prides itself on pragmatism, yet stubborn resistance to cooling homes is leaving families to suffer in extreme heat.
'Brexit reset': Why majority of EU citizens want closer ties with the UK
More than eight years after the UK's Brexit vote, a majority of EU citizens would like a closer relationship with Britain and many Brits are now prepared to ditch their Brexit red lines, a new survey has revealed.
OPINION: Trump's win spells crisis for Europe, but it could save the EU
The return of Donald Trump to the White House may be catastrophic for US democracy. It could be even more destructive for Europe, writes John Lichfield.
OPINION: Europe's open borders are precious, but they are under threat
As countries within the EU reintroduce checks on their Schengen zone borders, columnist John Lichfield looks at why this threat to the 'invisible achievement' of open borders matters to the whole of Europe.
OPINION: Why we decided to give up on trying to become Austrian
Given they have lived in Austria for many years The Local's Amanda Previdelli and her husband wanted to become Austrian to secure rights for themselves and their children. But complications in the process forced them to drop their plans, as Amanda explains.
OPINION: How you can best deal with angry Austrians
Whether coping with grumpy neighbours or rude people on the streets, The Local's editor in Vienna Amanda Previdelli lays out some tips for how to handle those Austrians who very much fit the unfriendly stereotype.
The five big reasons people choose to retire to Austria
Retiring overseas is a dream for many of us, with Austria becoming a popular location for people searching for mountains and culture.
'To completely integrate in Austrian life you need German, but it takes time'
Knowing German can help you integrate in Austria, but to what extent depends on where you want to live in the country and what you define as being integrated, writes Vienna-based journalist Julia Jakobsson.
UPDATE: Why is support for Austria's far-right FPÖ rising?
Austria's Freedom party managed to strike a deal that would give it broad powers in the Lower Austria province. It is also leading voter poll preferences for a national election. But why are they so popular now?
ANALYSIS: Is Vienna in good hands with 'crisis manager' mayor Ludwig?
No Austrian politician has become more disputed and exposed to the public than Michael Ludwig, the mayor of Vienna. But as his political opponents grow could the city's so-called "crisis manager" yet come out on top?
OPINION: Trains are in fashion so why is rail travel across Europe still so difficult?
Would you prefer to travel across Europe by train rather than plane this summer? It’s not nearly as simple as it should be, especially given the urgency of the climate crisis, explains specialist Jon Worth.
ANALYSIS: Are Vienna’s tighter Covid measures ‘a mistake’?
Vienna's decision to keep Covid rules place puts it at odds with the rest of the country. Austrian journalist Stefan Haderer asks if the decision is prudent pandemic management or a barrier in the journey back to normality.
OPINION: This is Russia’s war, but we Europeans need to learn fast from our mistakes
For those of us living in Europe now, this is a scary and dangerous time, writes The Local's James Savage. The threat from Russia leaves European leaders with no easy choices, but peace and democracy in Europe depend on what they do next.
OPINION: Austria's vaccine mandate is politically high-risk with limited benefits
Austria has approved its controversial vaccine mandate but it comes with much risk for the government and unclear benefits for the country, argues Marcus How.
OPINION: European governments were cautious on AstraZeneca vaccines but they were neither stupid nor 'political'
It is the best of decisions and the worst of decisions. Everyone can claim to be right. Everyone is partly wrong, writes John Lichfield on the pausing of the AstraZeneca vaccination campaign across Europe.
ANALYSIS: Has Austria picked the right strategy to fight the Covid-19 pandemic?
With compulsory testing scrapped, Austria is placing its hopes for ending the country's third lockdown on so-called "entry tests" but is it the right way forward? Austrian journalist Stefan Haderer analyses the strategy's effectiveness.