Now LIVE: Budget Speech by Finance Minister Marterbauer in the National Council
Even before the budget speech by Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ), it is known that the double budget for the years 2025 and 2026 will be strongly focused on consolidation, as the budget deficit has spiraled out of control. This year, a deficit of 4.5 percent of GDP is expected, which is significantly above the EU's allowed limit of 3 percent.
Budget Speech by Finance Minister Marterbauer: Strict Austerity Measures Necessary
"The austerity package is very extensive because the state budget situation is extraordinarily poor," emphasized Finance Minister Marterbauer once again upon entering the parliament. Therefore, the government aims to save 6.4 billion euros this year and 8.7 billion next year. For Marterbauer, it is his first budget speech in the National Council; the economist has been Finance Minister since March and is thus the chief guardian of the state's revenues and expenditures. Immediately before his speech in the National Council, the government will decide on the double budget and the financial planning for the next four years in the Council of Ministers.
For Marterbauer, it is his first budget speech in the National Council; the economist has been Finance Minister since March and is thus the chief guardian of the state's revenues and expenditures. He hopes to implement the austerity measures "with the help of the population in a fair manner," as he expressed before his speech. Immediately before his speech in the National Council, the government decided on the double budget and the financial planning for the next four years in the Council of Ministers.
Before the Budget Speech: Protests in Front of Parliament
Even within their own ranks, the plans caused protests in front of the High House. For example, a small group of Socialist Youth demonstrated with an oversized "austerity pencil" against some measures, such as in the education and climate protection sectors. NGOs like Attac also made themselves heard using a megaphone.
Apart from the budget speech, which will be debated only on Wednesday, the agenda of the National Council on Tuesday includes a change in the ban on fully slatted floors in pig farming. By mid-2035, the fully slatted floors, which have been vehemently opposed by animal rights activists for years, are to be banned. However, there will be transition periods for businesses that have recently invested in new barns.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.