Erstellt am: 13. 1. 2014 - 16:45 Uhr

What's going on behind closed doors within the ÖVP?

Political watcher Thomas Hofer gives us his insight. Also we head to Bangkok to catch up on protests there.

The state of the ÖVP

The leader of the People's Party, vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger says all is well within his party and with his leadership. But there had been reports of serious divisions within the party over comprehensive education and taxation issues and that he might call a vote of confidence in his leadership. After a party meeting last night, Michael Spindelegger said that it had been a normal meeting. Is there a crisis looming in the ÖVP? We get the thoughts of political commentator Thomas Hofer.

Bangkok shutting down

Snap elections are due to take place on the 2nd of February. But ahead of those Thai protesters today have launched what they call a shutdown of Bangkok. It's all in a bid to oust the government before people go to the polls. So what's happening on the streets of Thailand's capital? We speak with our correspondent there, Jonathan Head.

Hungarian Sludge town turns from red to green

Over three years ago, a million cubic metres of toxic sludge spilled from a reservoir at an alumina plant in Ajka in western Hungary. Four people were killed and about 100 were injured. Homes were flooded with a red sludge. Devecser was an environmental disaster zone but now it has become a focus for sustainable energy. Our Hungary correspondent Nick Thorpe has more.

The Sahel

The area of grasslands stretching across Africa, south of the Sahara, is a region rich in its ancient traditions and customs. We speak with the EU's special representative for the Sahel, Michel Reveyrand de Menthon, about the many challenges the Sahel faces in the 21st Century.

Africa’s road building frenzy

Mining companies, many of them funded by China, are setting up road networks across African countries in order to better transport their materials. But "roads bring risks, too" according to Andy Coughlan of New Scientist Magazine. We get more of his thoughts.

Listen to the programme after the show via Podcast or at fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.