By Andrew Cohen Accusations of right-wing extremism and latent xenophobia may have stained the Austrian government and caused political isolation, but there s little sign the country s economy and business sector have been sullied by the charges. On the contrary, the sparkling appearance of the country s commercial centre and capital, Vienna, reveals bustling commercial activity. The city s baroque buildings are scrubbed, and their elegant facades are reflected in the huge glass windows of the gleaming modern structures with which they cohabit. Stores in the city centre do a brisk business.
Wealthy consumers snap up everything from the latest in high-tech wares to luxury cosmetics.
The only dark spot in the pedestrian zone of fashionable Kaertnerstrasse is the landmark Ambassador Hotel. It s closed for renovation, but advertises a triumphant re-opening in the autumn. Management clearly expects a continuing stream of visitors to fill the rooms and suites. On the streets outside there s plenty of evidence for such optimism. English, French, Italian and Japanese mingle with the lilting German dialect spoken by the natives.