Speculation about possible leadership comebacks in Austria’s main parties continues, while new figures show inflation easing but still well above the euro zone average, plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.
Speculation grows over possible political comebacks
A new opinion poll has fuelled debate about whether former chancellors Sebastian Kurz and Christian Kern could return to frontline politics, according to Der Standard. The survey suggests both the ÖVP and SPÖ might poll better with different leaders, though gains would be limited in the case of Kurz.
The poll puts the ÖVP at 20 percent under current leader Christian Stocker, rising only slightly to 22 percent with Kurz. For the SPÖ, support would rise more sharply if Christian Kern replaced Andreas Babler, increasing from 18 percent to 26 percent.
Political scientist Peter Filzmaier cautioned that leadership changes are often overestimated. He said both coalition parties are struggling with weak brands and difficult economic conditions, which would limit the short-term impact of any personnel switch.
Inflation falls below 4 percent for first time since mid-2025
Austria’s inflation rate eased to 3.8 percent in December, falling below 4 percent for the first time since July 2025, according to ORF. The figure remains almost double the euro zone average of 2 percent.
Statistics Austria said energy prices rose more slowly, with fuel prices dampening inflation again. Services remained the strongest price driver, while food, tobacco and alcohol saw faster price rises than in November.
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer said inflation was still “clearly too high”. The central bank expects inflation to average 2.4 percent in 2026, with further easing expected in coming months due to statistical effects linked to electricity prices.
Austria’s most popular baby names revealed for 2024
New figures from Statistics Austria show that parents used almost 10,000 different first names for babies born in 2024, according to the Kurier. Elias was the most popular boys’ name, followed by Paul and Noah.
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Among girls, Emilia topped the list for the second year in a row, ahead of Emma and Marie. The data also shows growing name diversity, with more than 5,000 different girls’ names recorded last year.
Name researcher Knud Bielefeld said names such as Adam, Anton and Theodor are on an upward trend, while extremely rare names were sometimes given to only one child nationwide.
Half of Vienna’s school starters lack sufficient German
More than half of children starting primary school in Vienna in autumn 2025 were classified as extraordinary pupils due to insufficient German, according to figures reported by the Kronen Zeitung. The share has risen from 41 percent in 2020 to 50.9 percent.
Around 60 percent of these children were born in Austria, and roughly a quarter hold Austrian citizenship. The data was compiled from official responses by the city’s education department.
The ÖVP has called for mandatory language assessments from age three and expanded language support in kindergartens. Party officials warned that without early intervention, affected children face long-term disadvantages in the education system.
What’s happening in Austria today
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At 9.30am, the Federal Chancellery is due to present the 2025 civil service balance, known as the Zivildienstbilanz, with Minister Claudia Plakolm.
In parliament, the Nationalrat’s permanent EU subcommittee meets at 2pm. The agenda includes discussion of EU “own resources” financing and the European Semester 2026 autumn package.
In Vienna, the city council’s petitions committee holds a public meeting at 2pm in the Rathaus to discuss a petition linked to land rezoning and the preservation of a Buschenschank site at Bisamberg. Access cards are issued from 8am with photo ID.
Transport disruptions continue, including rail replacement buses on the Weststrecke in Tirol, changes to cross-border services to Germany, and U6 trains in Vienna not stopping at Tscherttegasse towards Floridsdorf.
Vocabulary
die Umfrage – opinion poll
die Inflation – inflation
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der Vorname – first name
der Schulanfänger – child starting school
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