Budget debate escalated: violent criticism of education, climate and women!

Budget debate escalated: violent criticism of education, climate and women!

On June 17, 2025, the second day of the budget debate took place in the National Council, which was characterized by intensive discussions about the financing of important social areas. Criticism came mainly from the Greens and the FPÖ, which considered the new budget plans insufficiently. The Greens expressed concerns about returning in education, climate policy and the matters of women. The FPÖ, on the other hand, criticized the false priorities in the scheduled financial resources, such as vienna.at reported.

The debate began with the chapter Women, Science and Research. The budget for women remains at 33.6 million euros in 2025, so that a planned increase is already in prospect of EUR 34.1 million for 2026. The financial framework for science in Austria in 2025 amounts to just under 7.3 billion euros, with a minimal increase to over 7.3 billion euros the following year. An important innovation are the feminist accents, which include VAT-free menstrual and contraceptives. Minister of Women and Science Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) pointed out to close the budget, while FPÖ women's spokeswoman Rosa Ecker criticized the budget as stressful for women.

Education and their challenges

The educational budget was also examined. Minister Christoph Return (NEOS) faced a sharp criticism by the Greens, who described the planned increase in school psychological staff as inadequate. The FPÖ also spoke up, in particular its education spokesman Hermann Brückl, who questioned the academization of training positions. The SPÖ mandate Heinrich Himmer demanded equivalent educational opportunities for all children. A total of twelve billion euros are budgeted for the education sector for 2025, with a planned increase to 12.5 billion euros for 2026.

A central point in the debate was also the savings measure in the administrative area, which is intended to include around 51 million euros. This is two thirds of the total volume of the savings package. The savings are made through restrictive ritles and reduced factual expenditure. In the Ministry of Education, only every third position is being filled, which also affects educational directorates and educational universities. This also includes cuts in infrastructure projects and nursing schools in order to compensate for the increasing costs.

KLUMAUBUBGET under pressure

Another worrying development is the decline in the climate budget. This drops by 2.7 billion euros to 2.2 billion euros and, according to forecasts, will continue to 1.4 billion euros for 2026. Environment Minister Norbert Tettschnig (ÖVP) defended the savings in the administration, while critics such as Leonore Gewessler (Greens) expressed their dissatisfaction with the declining funds for climate protection. There are also voices such as those of Neos MP Karin Doppelbauer who demanded more transparency in the administration.

Overall, the government is under pressure, because all ministries have to master the demanding task of saving around 1.1 billion euros to consolidate the state budget. Despite these efficiency options, care was made to avoid cuts in the classroom in order not to endanger the quality of education, such as school.at Notice. While the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the proposed budgets will affect the affected areas in the long term.