SPÖ to lead Ministry of Justice, Meinl-Reisinger to become Foreign Minister

The ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos have reached an agreement on the distribution of ministries, with key cabinet positions now largely settled, according to Der Standard. The Ministry of Justice will go to the SPÖ, with names such as former State Secretary Muna Duzdar and lawyer Selma Yildirim circulating as potential candidates. The Neos will take over the Foreign Ministry, led by party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The ÖVP will retain the Ministry of the Interior, Defence, and Agriculture, while Christian Stocker is set to become Federal Chancellor. Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) will also oversee sports policy. The final cabinet lineup is expected to be announced soon.



READ MORE: Austria moves closer to a government as budget deal takes shape

Schallenberg announces departure from government



Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has confirmed that he will not be part of the next government, as reported by Der Standard. In a statement on Saturday, he said he had considered this decision since the start of the year, describing it as “the right time for change.” Schallenberg, who has served as both Chancellor and Foreign Minister, had previously stated he would not participate in a coalition with the Freedom Party (FPÖ). His announcement coincided with Austria securing the release of Tal Shoham, an Austrian citizen held hostage by Hamas.



READ MORE: Austria’s far-right led coalition talks collapse

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Villach mayor calls for an asylum cap after terror attack

One week after a deadly terror attack in Villach, Mayor Günther Albel (SPÖ) urged the Austrian government to introduce an asylum cap, according to Kurier. In an interview, he stated that Austria needs stricter controls and a more structured approach to integration. His comments contradict SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, who has rejected asylum limits. Albel also called for stricter social media platform regulations to prevent individuals’ rapid radicalisation. His remarks come as Austria continues to debate migration policies following the attack by a 23-year-old Syrian national.

READ MORE: What impact will the Villach terror attack have on Austria?

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Asylum applications from Syrians drop sharply after Assad’s fall

For the first time in months, Syrians were not the largest group of asylum seekers in Austria, as reported by Vienna.at. In January, only 618 asylum applications were submitted by Syrians, compared to 1,393 in the same month last year. Afghans were the largest group, with 629 applications, though most were from individuals already under temporary protection who sought asylum again. Across Europe, asylum applications dropped by 24 percent compared to January 2024. The statistics also show that the chances of Syrians being granted asylum in Austria have declined significantly, with only 12 approvals in January.

Salzburg unveils tourism strategy for 2040

Salzburg has launched an ambitious tourism vision for 2040, aiming to balance visitor numbers with sustainability and local interests, according to Kurier. More than 2,000 residents participated in the planning process, which resulted in 150 proposed measures. Key priorities include decentralising tourism beyond the historic centre and introducing a “Salzburg Local Card” to provide discounted cultural access for locals. Authorities emphasise the importance of managing visitor flows rather than limiting tourism, ruling out measures like Venice’s entry fee model. Traffic and sustainability remain major challenges as Salzburg positions itself as a top European cultural destination.

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Warning strike at German airports could impact Austria flights

Flights between Austria and Germany could face disruptions on Monday due to a warning strike at Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports, as reported by Vienna.at. The Verdi trade union has called for a one-day work stoppage, beginning Sunday evening in Cologne/Bonn and Monday morning in Düsseldorf. Airport officials expect significant cancellations, with at least 75 flights already scrapped. Passengers travelling between Austria and Germany are advised to check with airlines for updates. The strike is part of an ongoing wage dispute, with Verdi demanding an 8 percent pay increase and additional leave days for workers.

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