Schellhorn wants more budget contribution from states and municipalities

NEOS State Secretary Josef Schellhorn wants to have "a clear word" with the states and municipalities for a stronger contribution to budget consolidation. As he explained on Wednesday in the press foyer after the Council of Ministers, reforms are needed from them. Regarding the question of an EU deficit procedure, he said that this is in the hands of the EU finance ministers. Austria can only submit an improved reform proposal.

ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti emphasized in the evening on "ZIB2" that they will continue to try to avert a deficit procedure. A nationwide consolidation is necessary, in which, in addition to the federal government, states and social insurance carriers also contribute. They will look "up to a certain pain threshold" in addition to the previous savings plans within the framework of budget preparation, "to see what else we can find." The pain threshold is the economy, said Marchetti, who therefore ruled out new burdens.

Haslauer ready for "thoughtful and long-term sustainable solutions"

The situation is "bitterly serious," more serious than thought two weeks ago, Schellhorn had previously stated. "We need to talk again with states and municipalities," said Schellhorn. It is now time for major reforms, to which the chairman of the Conference of Provincial Governors, Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), has also committed. The person addressed confirmed on Wednesday his willingness "for thoughtful and long-term sustainable solutions" to make finances more efficient and structures more modern, but rejected "short-term savings measures at the expense of the regions." States and municipalities are the foundation of a functioning public service - they guarantee education, security, care, and infrastructure directly on site, said Haslauer to the "Salzburger Nachrichten".

Schmidt against saving until economic downturn

They want to stick to the 6.3 billion euros this year and 8.7 billion euros in 2026 in consolidation volume, even if the economic policy situation changes and new forecasts are expected in the coming days, emphasized Schellhorn and also SPÖ State Secretary Michaela Schmidt. Saving into a situation now, through which the economy would suffer and tax revenues would decrease, would ultimately not improve the budget situation, she said in response to a corresponding question about the necessity of additional asset-related taxes.

In any case, Schellhorn emphasized the unity in the federal government. Recently, he, together with Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) and State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP), conducted negotiations on the planned savings in the ministries. The jointly visible willingness to save and reform was "refreshing," said Schellhorn. A total of 1.1 billion euros are to be saved in the departments. "The exact distribution, the pie and cake pieces will be presented in the coming days."

(APA/Red)

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