Security problems in Austria: austerity measures endanger our protection!

Security problems in Austria: austerity measures endanger our protection!

The FPÖ makes sharp accusations against the new federal government's planned austerity measures, which envisage cuts in the police and other security-related areas. Martin Antauer, security spokesman for the FPÖ in Lower Austria, criticizes that such cuts represent an irresponsible endangerment to citizens in times of increasing violent crime. "With cuts to the police, the security madness continues. [...] Instead, the new federal government treats itself to seven state secretaries, continues to let Syrians and Afghans into the country and leaves our compatriots unprotected," explained Antauer. He calls for urgent measures to increase safety for families and especially for women and children, as incidents like those in Villach are already alarming, reported APA OTS.

In addition, the new federal government faces a significant financial consolidation requirement of up to 24 billion euros, as current data from the EU Commission shows. Finance Minister Gunter Mayr expresses possible savings by canceling the climate bonus and educational leave. The SPD had already considered considering a deficit procedure in order to make the necessary savings less draconian. However, Mayr emphasizes that long-term planning for financial consolidation could create more scope for economic incentives. “Abolishing the climate bonus would reduce annual spending by around two billion euros,” explains Mayr Small newspaper reported.

The future savings measures are of great relevance for the Ministry of Finance, especially given the need to keep the budget deficit below three percent in 2025. Measures should be submitted to the EU Commission by mid-January in order to avoid possible excessive deficit procedures. The questions about financial security and the protection of citizens are therefore at the center of the political debate.