Inflation climbs in April, JJ receives official congratulations, and Austria and France push for deportations to Afghanistan – and more stories from Austria on Tuesday.

ÖVP, Greens, and NEOS fined over unauthorised party donations

Austria’s Independent Party Transparency Senate (UPTS) has issued hefty penalties to the ÖVP, Greens, and NEOS, primarily for illegal party donations via government-paid social media content, ORF reported. 

The fines stem from a report by the Court of Audit, which found that employees in ministries posted partisan messages on social media platforms operated by the parties. The Greens face the largest penalty, with €57,803 linked to former Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler and €40,215 connected to former Justice Minister Alma Zadić.

The ÖVP was fined €50,637 for content posted by staff managing the official pages of former Chancellor Karl Nehammer. NEOS must pay €70,956 for social media activity from ex-Vice Mayor of Vienna, Christoph Wiederkehr. Each case was judged as an unauthorised benefit paid with public funds.

All three parties have announced they will appeal. In a joint statement with the SPÖ, they also called for a legal overhaul to clarify social media usage rules in public offices. 

Inflation ticks up to 3.1 percent in April, driven by Easter holidays and electricity

Austria’s inflation rate rose slightly in April to 3.1 percent, up from three percent in March, according to Statistics Austria. 

The increase was fuelled by a jump in package holiday prices during the Easter break and persistently high electricity costs. Package holidays rose by 15 percent year-on-year, accounting for 0.25 percentage points of overall inflation.

Electricity, however, remained the biggest driver. Prices were up 36.4 percent compared to April 2023, largely due to the expiry of subsidies like the electricity price cap and network fee assistance at the start of the year. The rising cost of electricity alone contributed 0.7 percentage points to the overall inflation rate.

By contrast, gas and fuel costs dropped sharply, helping to dampen price pressure. Natural gas prices fell by 9.4 percent, while diesel and petrol were each nearly 10 percent cheaper than a year ago. 

Still, everyday food and drink expenses remained elevated, increasing by nearly six percent. The mini shopping basket, reflecting weekly purchases, rose 1.7 percent year-on-year.

Austria and France coordinate on Afghan deportations and return centres

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) met with his French counterpart Bruno Retailleau in Paris to discuss stepped-up asylum enforcement, including possible deportations to Afghanistan and establishing EU return centres in third countries. 

“A tough and fair asylum policy also requires deportations,” Karner said after the meeting, emphasising that Austria, France, and Germany are aligned.

Both ministers also urged faster implementation of the EU’s common asylum and migration pact. The talks signal Austria’s growing interest in outsourcing parts of the asylum process to external partner countries – a controversial issue at the EU level.

At a separate meeting, Europe Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) and her French counterpart Benjamin Haddad discussed joint initiatives on fighting online hate, antisemitism, and radicalisation. 

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Small border crossings to Hungary reopen after foot-and-mouth outbreak

The 21 smaller border crossings between Burgenland and Hungary, closed due to foot-and-mouth disease precautions, will reopen at midnight on May 21st. 

Epidemic carpets – mats soaked in disinfectant placed at crossings – will also be removed from major entry points such as Nickelsdorf and Kittsee, Der Standard reported.

While the outbreak was successfully contained, caution remains. A restricted zone in Hungary is still in effect until May 30th, and import bans on meat and livestock from the affected area continue. Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) urged travellers to maintain hygiene standards and follow the remaining precautions to avoid reintroducing the disease.

The lockdown had disrupted local traffic and daily commutes between Austria and Hungary since early April. The reopening is expected to ease travel in border communities and restore regional trade links.

Austria honours Eurovision winner JJ with high-level reception

Austria’s 2025 Eurovision winner, JJ, received a warm welcome from Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ), and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) at the Federal Chancellery on Monday. 

JJ, who won with the operatic techno ballad Wasted Love, was praised for bridging classical and contemporary styles, as ORF reported.

Stocker called the win a reflection of Austria’s cultural diversity, while Babler said it showed how high culture and pop can coexist. Meinl-Reisinger said JJ’s performance had filled “the whole country with pride.” Tourism officials also highlighted the economic and promotional benefits of Austria hosting the 2026 contest.

JJ will appear next on Willkommen Österreich and perform at the Starnacht am Neusiedler See in June. The government promised that the upcoming Eurovision in Austria would not lack for funding.

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New violence outpatient clinic to open in Linz after hospital scandal

Upper Austria will open a dedicated violence outpatient clinic at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz, following widespread outrage over a rape victim being turned away due to the hospital not having admissions on that day. 

Health official Christine Haberlander (ÖVP) confirmed the news on Monday and said the facility would work closely with the police and local women’s support services, ORF reported.

The move follows an incident in April, when a homeless woman was brought to the hospital by street workers after an alleged assault. Although she was initially admitted, she was later rejected, prompting political and public backlash. She declined to pursue treatment or press charges.

Parties across the political spectrum, including SPÖ, NEOS, and the Greens, welcomed the decision. The new clinic will offer forensic documentation, evidence collection, and psychological and medical support to victims of violence, helping to close a critical gap in regional care.

Police investigate the death of man found with head injuries in Vienna-Favoriten

A 27-year-old Bangladeshi man who was found seriously injured on a street in Vienna-Favoriten last Thursday has died from his wounds. 

According to Kurier, the man was discovered by passers-by in Grenzackerstrasse shortly after 1 am and had suffered blunt-force trauma to the head.

Police say the background remains unclear, but they are investigating in all directions, including possible involvement of a third party. It is unknown whether the injuries resulted from a crime, accident, or other cause. An autopsy has been ordered, and results are expected in the coming days.

The Vienna State Criminal Police Office is calling for witnesses who may have seen or heard anything near Pernerstorfer Steg between 12:55 am and 1:15 am on May 15th. Investigators hope public tips will help clarify the case.

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