Schnedlitz counters Babler's allegations: Excel is no proof!

Schnedlitz counters Babler's allegations: Excel is no proof!

Österreich, Land - On March 23, 2025, FPÖ general secretary Michael Schledlitz reacted to the controversial statements by SPÖ Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, who made it in the "ORF press hour". BABLER claimed that FPÖ and ÖVP planned a massive attack on pensioners and referred to an Excel table as evidence that was transmitted to Brussels as part of the blue-black negotiations in order to avert an impending EU deficit procedure. Schledlitz criticized Babler's handling of the data presented and described his statements as "embarrassing". OTS reports that Schneedlitz and their handling of asylum hikers and pensioners Visor took on while emphasizing that especially people who have never paid into the system should be asked to checkout.

In the National Council, the criticism of Finance Minister Gunter Mayr's savings plans, which are planned to turn away from the EU deficit proceedings, is loudly expressed. According to parlament.gv.at complained brokers that large industrialists and banks do not contribute to budget consolidation. He emphasized that the "budget disaster" was financed through the masses, including pensioners and those affected by women. While the FPÖ refers to the "disastrous" budget situation of the last government, the ÖVP is ready to take responsibility for the necessary steps for consolidation.

The Greens also criticize the deletion of the climate monus, which is called "tax increase through the back door". NEOS demand sustainable reforms, while the FPÖ emphasizes that pensioner: inside does not have to worry and wants to get a "reform engine" rolling. Mayr, who described the savings plans as a resilient measure package with a focus on the output side, provides for savings of 6.39 billion euros, of which 50 percent are to be achieved by grants.

EU budget deficit procedure as a challenge

The EU budget deficit procedure requires the Member States to achieve a deficit of less than three percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Austria has had a budget deficit of over three percent since 2020, which is mainly due to Covid 19 pandemic. GPA declared that the current Austrian government, which has not been under ÖVP leadership, has been able to deficit to the given borders for five years. In order to avoid the impending deficit procedure, the designated FPÖ-ÖVP government is planning a savings course with savings of 6.3 billion euros, which have already been approved by the EU Commission.

The economic situation in Austria remains tense, with a slightly pessimistic forecast for the future. Although Austria is currently not in a deficit procedure, there is no guarantee of economic stability, since the implementation of the announced austerity measures and their social consequences are a significant challenge.