Austria

Bags of Cash Ex-FPÖ Head Strache Hit by New Corruption Allegations

Last May, right-wing populist Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign as Austrian vice chancellor and FPÖ party head due to the Ibiza Scandal. Now, he is alleged to have accepted bags full of cash from Eastern Europe in exchange for political favors. Von Martin Knobbe, Walter Mayr und Wolf Wiedmann-Schmidt

Ex-FPÖ Head Strache Hit by New Corruption Allegations - Leonhard Foeger/REUTERS

Comeback for Kurz? Austria's Youngest-Ever Chancellor Eyes a Return

This spring, Austria's youngest-ever chancellor was felled by a political scandal. But Sebastian Kurz could soon be back at the helm. A majority of Austrian voters seemingly can't wait to have him back. Von Walter Mayr

Austria's Youngest-Ever Chancellor Eyes a Return - RODERICK AICHINGER / DER SPIEGEL

An Inside Job The Right-Wing Populist Plan to Destroy Europe

Europe's right-wing populists haven't been stopped by the scandal in Austria. They are working hard to destroy the European Union from within its own institutions and the European elections may show how close they are to success. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

The Right-Wing Populist Plan to Destroy Europe - Balasz Szecsodi/ AFP/ Source/ Byline

Strache's Defense The Right-Wing Ideology Exposed

An Austrian far-right politician got caught red-handed. Or was he? Not in his worldview, as became clear during his resignation speech. The right-wing worldview holds that if you're fighting a vast and dangerous enemy, anything goes. Von Nils Minkmar

The Right-Wing Ideology Exposed - Andreas Gebert/ Getty Images

Austria The Strache Recordings - The Whole Story

In a secret recording from 2017 obtained by DER SPIEGEL, Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the far-right Freedom Party is heard discussing a deal with a purported Russian millionaire to trade state contracts for campaign support. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

'Considerable Danger' A Growing Workload for Alpine Mountain Rescuers

The quest for mountain adventures is constantly growing -- sometimes becoming so irresistible that tourists ignore weather and avalanche warnings. Mountain rescuers risk their lives to save them, but they often only return with dead bodies. Von Gerhard Pfeil

A Growing Workload for Alpine Mountain Rescuers - Peter Schatz / Magics / action press

Sky Cruise Turning the Alps into an Industrial Playground

A new cable car to the top of Klein Matterhorn leads to the highest gondola station in Europe. Now, only a small link is missing to complete a grand vision: The crossing of the Alps by aerial tramway. Environmentalists are not impressed. Von Christian Wüst

Turning the Alps into an Industrial Playground - Aircam Zermatt GmbH

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz 'Why Does Everything I Do Get So Overblown?'

In a DER SPIEGEL interview, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, 32, talks about his goals as holder of the rotating European Council presidency, the fight against illegal immigration and his relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Von Peter Müller und Walter Mayr

'Why Does Everything I Do Get So Overblown?' - Jork Weismann / DER SPIEGEL

Europe's Next Test Case A Journey Down Austria's Path to the Right

With a right-wing extremist party in government again, a major experiment is currently taking place in Austria -- one that may test the endurance of democracy in Western Europe. A visit to a country that appears unable to come to terms with its own history as it lurches to the right. Von Ullrich Fichtner

A Journey Down Austria's Path to the Right - Armin Smailovic / DER SPIEGEL

SPIEGEL Interview with Sebastian Kurz 'I Definitely Have a Red Line'

Sebastian Kurz, 31, is set to take over the reins in Austria. In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, he speaks of a possible coalition with the right-wing FPÖ, about his hard-line stance on immigration and how age influences politics. Von Mathieu von Rohr, Markus Feldenkirchen und Walter Mayr

'I Definitely Have a Red Line' - Jork Weismann / DER SPIEGEL

Austrian Gambler The Meteoric Rise of Sebastian Kurz

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz could become his country's next chancellor on Sunday. The politician is conservative and vain, but also adroit. What would the 31-year-old's election mean for the country? Von Walter Mayr

The Meteoric Rise of Sebastian Kurz - Iris Kivisalu / DER SPIEGEL

Two Weeks in September The Makings of Merkel's Decision to Accept Refugees

A year has passed since the dramatic decision by Angela Merkel to take in hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees. What drove her to make the decision and what price will the country pay for it? A look back at 14 days that changed German history. By SPIEGEL Staff

The Makings of Merkel's Decision to Accept Refugees - DPA

Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz 'Europe's Values Cannot Be Negotiable'

At 29, Austria's Sebastian Kurz is the world's youngest foreign minister. He speaks with SPIEGEL about the rise of the far right in his country and Europe, the immigrant crisis and the dangers of dependence on Turkey. Von Walter Mayr und Mathieu von Rohr

'Europe's Values Cannot Be Negotiable' - DPA

Rise of the Populists Austria a Step Ahead in Europe's Race to the Right

Austria's mainstream parties long believed they could keep the far right under control. On Sunday, though, a right-wing populist could become the country's president. What went wrong? The answer has implications for all of Europe. Von Hasnain Kazim, Katrin Kuntz, Walter Mayr und Barbara Supp

Austria a Step Ahead in Europe's Race to the Right - Lukas Beck/ DER SPIEGEL

Wrong Majorities What Extremist Success Means for Democracy

Democracy reflects the will of the people. But what if the will of the people threatens democracy? With the right wing on the rise, there is only one appropriate approach. Von Dirk Kurbjuweit

What Extremist Success Means for Democracy - REUTERS

The Austrian Malady Turning Right in the Refugee Crisis

The far-right candidate from the Austrian Freedom Party won an unexpected 35 percent of the vote in the first round of the country's presidential election. The established parties are largely to blame. Von Armin Thurnher

Turning Right in the Refugee Crisis - DPA

Refugee Crisis Disunity A De Facto Solution Takes Shape in the Balkans

Angela Merkel is still hoping for a European solution to the refugee crisis. But with patience running out, Austria has joined countries on the Balkan Route to impose Plan B. But with the closure of borders, the situation in Greece is becoming dangerous.