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Austro-Ampel negotiations: Will the big breakthrough come before the deadline?
Austro-Ampel negotiations between Nehammer, Babler and Meinl-Reisinger on December 30, 2024 about budget consolidation and reforms.
Austro-Ampel negotiations: Will the big breakthrough come before the deadline?
The negotiations to form a new government in Austria are entering the decisive phase. On Monday, the first day of the new year, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, SPÖ boss Andreas Babler and NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger will meet for a boss meeting that begins at 10 a.m. The discussions caused a lot of excitement because the challenges are enormous. So far, the party leaders have designed the budget consolidation concept to last seven years, but where the savings of up to 24 billion euros will come from remains unclear. The EU Commission will decide on January 21st whether an excessive deficit procedure is necessary, which could have a significant impact on savings. Loud Today.at the entire estimate for 2025 and 2026 has not yet been determined.
Challenges and disagreements
A crucial issue will be the question of whether the restructuring will take place within the framework of an EU deficit procedure, which the SPÖ advocates, or autonomously, as the NEOS would like. The pressure on the negotiators is high because without a viable concept there is a risk of EU intervention, which could further aggravate the situation. The press reports that the discussion is about specific projects, but so far there are hardly any major system changes or “lighthouse projects” in sight. So far, the NEOS appear dissatisfied with the status quo and are considering withdrawing from the negotiations.
The urgency of the situation is reinforced by the approaching deadline for submitting budget consolidation measures to the EU, which must be submitted by January 15th. Another meeting could bring decisive progress, but uncertainty remains. All eyes are on the executive meeting, in which the parties could possibly present the first concrete measures for budget consolidation. Time is of the essence and the next alliance could hardly be possible without agreement on fundamental financial issues.