Opposition angry – Despite 293 objections: new Graz budget adopted

It was a bumpy start to Thursday’s city council meeting in Graz: Before the budget debate even started, 293 objections were submitted by the opposition – all of which had to be discussed according to the statutes. But the criticism had already become loud weeks ago. In November, the city hall coalition consisting of the KPÖ, Greens and SPÖ presented the double budget for 2025/2026: 800 million euros in debt would be incurred over the next five years.

“Like an ice cube on the main square in summer”
To prevent the mountain from growing further, the sports department in particular, but also the cultural sector, would have to make cuts. To the annoyance of the opposition: municipal councilor Claudia Unger (ÖVP) also stated in the discussion on Thursday that cuts would be made in the budget “in the wrong place”. She admitted that previous governments had also incurred debt, “but not in this turbo mode”. Municipal councilor Philipp Pointner (Neos) said the budget “has a shelf life like an ice cube on the central square in the summer”.

The decision was made in the evening hours
The councilor responsible for finances, Manfred Eber (KPÖ), defended the timetable: “We could have used budget tricks, but we didn’t. We wanted to show an unvarnished image.” But if one were to follow the recommendations the city’s audit office called for in its report Wednesday, it would be “the standstill that no one wants or wants to imagine.”

Ultimately, a joint decision was made in the evening hours. The budget is not in balance, but it is fully funded. Because while incomes fall, costs rise – especially when it comes to mandatory social benefits. In any case, debt development could be slowed down by six percent. Both public transport (e.g. Remise Steyrergasse) and an independent energy supply (including sewage sludge recycling) will require investments, Eber explains.