Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (Spö) assumes that the EU deficiency procedure against Austria will be started on 8 July. He was “not afraid of it at all,” said the minister. A current information exchange is linked to the procedure.
It is not a “visual meter”. Marterbauer does not expect any effects on the assessment of Austria. The interest rate surcharges of the Austrian government bonds even fell slightly compared to Germany. This shows that “our budget plan is credible”. On Tuesday he defended the renovation measures as “urgently necessary” in the federal council, as economically and honestly as possible.
The reason for the expected deficit procedure is that with its budget deficit of 4.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), Austria exceeded the permitted limit of three percent last year. This year a debt of 4.5 percent of GDP is expected. Shortage procedures are currently running against Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
State Secretary: “No free mentality”
July 8 is the beginning because the EU ministers come together that day. State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl was convinced on Tuesday in the Federal Council that Austria would again reach the Maastricht criteria by 2028. Of all parties, there is an obligation that the budget is being approved and that each level must make a contribution. There should not be a “free mentality”.
Planned measures include higher health insurance contributions for pensioners, higher federal and consular costs, the abolition of the free climatic dick for 18-year-olds and the climate monus.
FPö: “Unnecessary authorities”
The Greens criticized too few investments in climate protection in the federal council and a lack of redistribution. The NEOs, in turn, accused the opposition party of acting irresponsibly for future generations in the government. The FPö spoke about a “massive attack on the citizens of the country” and “unnecessary authorities”. It is not surprising that ÖVP and Spö defended their decided double budget.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
