Hattmannsdorfer Supports Savings Plans

Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) has once again defended the government's budget plans. In his department, the funding policy will be critically examined, he said on Friday at a joint press conference with State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner (ÖVP). The minister remains committed to reducing non-wage labor costs - but only after a successful budget consolidation.

Particularly in the climate and energy sector, subsidies have often been distributed with a "watering can" approach in the past. He cited the planned end of subsidies for photovoltaic systems as examples, arguing with significantly fallen market prices for PV systems. In the fall, subsidies in the renewable sector are to be generally restructured and more closely tied to guidelines - according to Hattmannsdorfer, "storage and digitalization elements" should be more strongly considered.

Hattmannsdorfer also defended further cuts

The minister also defended other already known and planned cuts in the state budget, citing a lack of steering effects or insufficient performance incentives. This included the abolition of the climate bonus and educational leave, as well as the restriction of additional earning opportunities for the unemployed.

"Location Package for Internationalization" announced

In the Ministry of Economic Affairs, they want to measure themselves against three success indicators: the number of hours worked, the research quota, and the export quota. To increase the latter, Hattmannsdorfer announced a "Location Package for Internationalization" amounting to 40 million euros.

Zehetner reaffirmed the planned review of all subsidies in the energy sector - but at the same time stated that there should be no cuts in transition aids for the industry and measures to increase energy efficiency. The same applies to the Austrian National Tourist Office, said the State Secretary, referring to the importance of tourism in Austria.

Hattmannsdorfer fundamentally adheres to the reduction of non-wage labor costs provided for in the government program from 2027. However, budget consolidation must first succeed and Austria's economy must grow again.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) welcomed in a press release after today's meeting that no major cuts are planned in the area of research and innovation. The Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) is relieved that "the budgets of the Austrian National Tourist Office and the Austrian Hotel and Tourism Bank remain the same," according to a statement. "Realistically speaking," however, given inflation, an increase in budgets would actually be appropriate, said the ÖHV.

(APA/Red)

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