Meinl-Reisinger Sticks to Number for Savings
NEOS leader and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has advocated sticking to the federal government's savings plan despite higher deficit forecasts. They remain committed to the ambition of saving 6.4 billion euros this year and 8.7 billion euros next year, she said on Sunday in the ORF "Press Hour". She also advocated for structural reforms - such as tax autonomy for the federal states.
Meinl-Reisinger and Babler Agree
Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler also supported maintaining the government's austerity course on Saturday in an interview with Ö1, and Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (both SPÖ) also sees no need for a higher consolidation volume. This year, the Fiscal Council expects a deficit of 4.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). If the planned measures are not sufficient to reach 6.4 billion euros, further measures are needed, said Meinl-Reisinger. Initially, it was assumed that savings of this magnitude could avert an EU deficit procedure, but now it seems they will only meet the basic requirements of the EU Commission.
To consolidate the budget and "put it on a solid footing," structural reforms are needed, said Meinl-Reisinger. She advocated, for example, for tax autonomy for the states. Currently, the federal government primarily collects taxes, and there is a complicated and sometimes not goal-oriented financial equalization for distribution, after which the states and municipalities spend the money. She sees inefficiency due to too many involved players, for example, in the healthcare sector.
NEOS Leader Criticizes
Meinl-Reisinger finds it incomprehensible that the budget figures seem to change month by month. That the corresponding data from states and municipalities is not received earlier - it was made public at the end of March - is unacceptable, and the government will change this.
Regarding the monitoring of messenger services - a draft is currently under review - the NEOS have expressed criticism. They have agreed to develop a constitutionally compliant measure, said Meinl-Reisinger. There is a long review period, and now they must see what improvements still need to be incorporated. Regarding the nomination of former ÖVP Chancellor Karl Nehammer for the board of the European Investment Bank, Meinl-Reisinger said the NEOS did not agree to this. It is not a personnel matter that goes through the coalition or the Council of Ministers.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.