LONDON -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 12/21/95 -- Standard&Poor's affirms the Republic of Austria's triple-`A' long-term foreign and local currency ratings, as well as its `A-1'-plus short-term rating. The outlook on all long-term ratings is stable. The affirmation of Austria's ratings and outlook reflects Standard&Poor's expectation that, in the wake of last Sunday's snap elections, the next government -- regardless of its exact make-up -- will move quickly in addressing the country's fiscal imbalances. With Social Democrats and the conservative People's Party, whose coalition collapsed in October over deficit reduction strategies, gaining a two-thirds' majority, Austria's complex political situation remains unchanged, and renders a continuation of the previous coalition highly likely. However, with the major parties
