"Unimaginative Clear-Cutting": Budget Week Starts with Critical Tones

At the beginning of the budget week in the National Council, different assessments clashed in a general debate on Monday afternoon. While the Greens mainly criticized the cuts in the climate sector, but also in the social sector, the FPÖ practically disliked everything about the budget draft for 2025 and 2026. In contrast, the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS see a successful mix of consolidation and active measures.

The double budget, which foresees a total state deficit of 4.5 percent of GDP for this year and 4.3 percent for the coming year, will not be decided until Wednesday, after the individual areas have been worked through chapter by chapter over three days. However, the budget accompanying law, which includes the end of the climate bonus, a higher retirement age for the corridor pension, and an expanded application of the electronic ankle bracelet, will be passed on Monday.

FPÖ and Greens Criticize Budget

For FPÖ club chairman Herbert Kickl, the budget draft is a "heartless and unimaginative slash." Despite record revenues, additional debts are still being built up, and in the fall, the "next burden hammer" will surely come. Even now, pensioners, families, and top performers are being punished, while the "all-inclusive club of mass migration remains."

Kickl blames "mass migration," "Corona madness," "fanatical climate fetishism," and "armament madness" for the difficult budget situation. "You have all gravely sinned," said the FPÖ leader towards the other parties and further explained: "They hang the penance for their mortal sins on their own population." The blue deputy Arnold Schiefer, in turn, criticized that not a single suggestion from the opposition was taken up in the committees. By no means is the budget a great success, and a deficit procedure has also been incurred.

In a much more moderate tone, but also not exactly enthusiastic, the Greens reacted to the budget draft. Some measures, such as the bank levy, were appreciated there, but much else was not: "This budget is political timidity cast in numbers," said the designated new party leader Leonore Gewessler. Climate protection is now just a "sideshow."

Club chairman Werner Kogler lamented the jobs lost due to the braking of the climate transition and pointed out that reversing the policy in this area could lead to penalty payments. Kogler also regretted that the third intended for social balance in the "cold progression" is being withheld.

Stocker: "Not a Pure Austerity Budget"

The ÖVP viewed the presented figures much more positively. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) emphasized: "This is not a pure austerity budget, because investment will be possible." The budget draft is not a routine act, but a turning point after the many crises of recent years: "We will return to sustainable fiscal policy." ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger saw "a budget that sugarcoats nothing and initiates a new path."

Towards the FPÖ, the ÖVP parliamentary group leader said that Kickl had the opportunity to take on government responsibility. Seven days of 24-hour work was probably too much for him: "You can't go mountain climbing anymore."

NEOS club chairman Yannick Shetty also noted that Kickl was not ready to take responsibility. His party, on the other hand, wants to "go into the dilapidated structures of the country." The first task was to consolidate and press a "stop button for the watering can policy" of recent years. This double budget is just the beginning: "The government's reform path has only just begun."

Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) also made it clear that his party is not responsible for the current figures. SPÖ club chairman Philip Kucher even spoke of a "dramatic pile of broken pieces" left by previous governments. As Babler emphasized, savings will now be made ambitiously while ensuring that "the delicate economic plant" actually grows: "We are presenting an honest budget today, not a facade."

"Broad Shoulders Bear More in the Budget"

The SPÖ leader highlighted that the SPÖ had paid attention to social balance and social cohesion, which is why the wealthy would also be appropriately involved: "Broad shoulders bear more in the budget." The "necessary social sensitivity" remains intact, said Kucher. The "planned blue-black lawnmower" has been turned off. The green watering can no longer exists either.

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) called the budget a "great compromise." It has been possible to take the "first big steps," both on the expenditure and revenue sides. The double budget also includes "many economic support measures." The Fiscal Council confirmed the budget policy and the effectiveness of the restructuring measures on Monday, Marterbauer finds. A number of measures are not yet sufficiently specified, but work is being done in all areas on concrete guidelines. For example, a legislative package for tax fraud will be presented in the fall. "There is still a lot of work ahead of us, but the turnaround in budget policy has been initiated."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.