Eibinger-Miedl Does Not Rule Out Deficit Procedure
She does not want to speculate about possible adjustments yet, but does not rule anything out in the APA interview. "If necessary, we will be able to handle a deficit procedure like other countries," if there is otherwise a risk of stifling the economy, said Eibinger-Miedl.
Even without knowing the new economic forecasts, her "assessment is that it will not turn in our favor, but unfortunately, we will have to assume that the economic engine has not started yet." If adjustments are necessary, Eibinger-Miedl advocates looking at the expenditure side first before discussing new taxes. She does not explicitly rule these out either: "At this point in time, it is really very difficult to make a statement."
"Economy Must Not Be Stifled"
First, one must see "how large a potential gap to the measures we have already planned really is." Then, it is important to consult across parties about what measures are still possible. "Because one thing must not happen, namely, that we stifle the hopefully emerging economy in the second half of the year with some measures." In this case, the question of a deficit procedure by the EU Commission, which has so far been avoided, will be reassessed.
This caused outrage among the FPÖ, which warned of a "loss of our budgetary sovereignty" and "guardianship" by Brussels. The ÖVP submits "in its system coalition with the SPÖ, which has always advocated such a procedure to implement its Marxist burden fantasies," said the FPÖ finance spokesman Hubert Fuchs in a statement.
The State Secretary wants to review the subsidies introduced in recent years. She specifically mentions subsidies in the environmental sector. Regarding the proposal by Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) to abolish environmentally harmful subsidies such as the diesel privilege, the State Secretary says: "Please put every proposal on the table. We should take a good look at it together, discuss it internally, and then make a decision together externally." In advance, she does not want to "exclude anything, but also not set any directions." Eibinger-Miedl wants to stick to the planned successor regulation for the abolished educational leave. The topic of further qualification, but specifically through a targeted solution, will also be essential in the coming years.
Consensual Cooperation with Marterbauer
Eibinger-Miedl praises the cooperation with Marterbauer. "We immediately found a good basis with each other." The work is intended to be "very communal and consensual." Accordingly, budget discussions with the individual ministries are to be conducted with NEOS State Secretary Josef Schellhorn. Eibinger-Miedl does not want to overestimate Marterbauer's advance with a legislative proposal for a special levy for energy suppliers. "I did not find it so problematic that new proposals are being discussed here." The proposal came as a surprise to her, but it was then analyzed together, and since it was not supported by all three parties, another path was found.
The main topic of the negotiations with the ministries starting today, Friday, will also be the planned savings in the departments totaling 1.1 billion euros. Where savings are to be made in the Ministry of Finance itself, Eibinger-Miedl does not want to anticipate yet. "This is also a great challenge," but at the end of the day, a way will have to be found.
The Vice-Party Chairwoman does not want to admit mistakes by her party, which had ruled out a savings package until shortly before the national elections in the fall. She does not know what facts the then party leader Karl Nehammer had on the table at that time. In the preparation of the 2023 budget for the year 2024, it was assumed that the economy would pick up again.
(APA/Red)
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