Austria

Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi was cleared by the European Parliament as the bloc's new neighbourhood and enlargement commissioner on Monday, overcoming doubts among some MEPs about his ability to encourage and assess reform in aspiring member states in light of his own country's perceived backsliding on democracy.

The head of state is in Vienna at the invitation of his colleague Alexander Van der Bellen.

Topics to discuss are the future of Europe, regional cooperation in the Danube region, the potential for enhancing bilateral economic exchanges, as well as migration and security cooperation.

Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wins a strong vote but cannot make the cabinet himself.

The big winner in the Austrian elections is the party of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The formation is taking 7% more than the previous vote and will have 11 deputies more than it has before.

The Conservative Austrian People's Party (ANP), led by its chairman and former chancellor Sebastian Kurz, wins 37% of the vote on Sunday's snap election in the Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament), according to the exit poll of Austrian television channel OE24.TV by the TACC.

Early parliamentary elections are taking place in Austria. Will former Prime Minister Sebastian Kurtz return to power and what are the possible scenarios after that?

Just over 6 million Austrian citizens elect 183 MPs. Stability - this is what the first who stood in front of the urns wished.

Austrians look set to put 33-year-old right-winger Sebastian Kurz back at the helm of government in snap elections on Sept. 29, despite a spectacular corruption scandal bringing down his previous coalition in May.    

Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on the phone with Austria's Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday afternoon, who wanted to be briefed about the increase in migration flows in recent weeks.

The head of transitional Austrian Government will support, in accordance with Austrian tradition, EU accession of Western Balkan countries, its spokesperson Sven Wagner stated to APA Agency.
As for further EU members expansion, transitional Austrian government will keep the same course that Wien took, encouraging EU accession of the counties of Southeast Europe.

Manfred Weber was elected as the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament, the Austrian public channel ORF, the FOCUS and BNT reported.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was ousted by parliament in a no-confidence vote on May 27, paving the way for a new election. The young leader, riding high in popular support, defiantly vowed that he and his center-right People's Party would return to power with increased strength.