Schledlitz warns: No more euro for the EU defense fund!

Schledlitz warns: No more euro for the EU defense fund!

FPÖ general secretary Michael Schledlitz sharply criticized the last black and green government and denounced a billion-budget-hole. This happens against the background of growing budget deficits and upcoming EU requirements, while the current coalition from the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS are facing a possible EU deficit procedure. In this context, Schinedlitz emphasized that Austria as a neutral state should not let any more money flow into the European defense fund. The criticism is also directed against SPÖ Finance Minister Marterbauer, who asked in Warsaw to increase defense spending.

Schledlitz criticizes that Marterbauer does not make a clear confession to this stop. He sees the political efforts of SPÖ and NEOS to upgrade as problematic and pleads for the government to take Austria's security seriously and act de -escalating. In addition, Schledlitz warns of the profound consequences for the financial policy sovereignty of the Member States and their budget sovereignty. He calls for an immediate stopping stop, especially considering the consequences of the Corona crisis, the energy crisis and high inflation.

The financing of the defense

In Brussels, a meeting of the EU Economic and Finance Minister took place on Tuesday. The main topic was the discussion about the plans for the exception of increased defense spending on the EU debt rules. Although Austria's budget deficit was not on the agenda, Finance Minister Gunter Mayr emphasized that he would stand up to avoid deficit procedure. An amount of 6.39 billion euros is planned to meet the requirements of the EU and to reduce the budget deficit for 2025 below 3% of gross domestic product.

The time pressure is high because the budget plans have to be transmitted to the EU Commission by the end of April. Some measures have already taken effect on April 1, which underlines urgency. The EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Valdis Dombrovskis, outlined the need to increase defense spending. According to the Commission estimates, an additional 500 billion euros will be required for defense in the next ten years.

sources of financing and the future outlook

In order to cover these financial requirements, various options are discussed, including the EU defense fund, euro bonds, unused funds from cohesion pots and an increase in the loans from the European investment bank (EIB). In addition, a so -called “competitive compass” is being worked on to increase the competitiveness of Europe and to expand the financial scope of action of the Member States.

political developments and these financial challenges are the focus of attention, while the governments of Member States have to ensure stability and security within the EU. Schnedlitz and other voices from the FPÖ are calling for a clear departure from the upgrade and warning of a further burden on the Austrian budget.

For detailed information on the statements of Michael Schleditz, the article stands up to OTS . The discussions of the EU finance ministers are also comprehensively documented in European newsroom and Kurier .