Financial crisis in St. Pölten: debts increase to 186 million euros!

Financial crisis in St. Pölten: debts increase to 186 million euros!

St. Pölten, Österreich - st. Pölten faces a financial disaster: The first budget design for 2025 has an alarming deficit of 29.6 million euros. Mayor Matthias Stadler (SPÖ) urged: "The communities stand with their backs to the wall." The high expenditure of EUR 268.8 million significantly exceeds the income of EUR 253.8 million. The main cause is the drastically sunken earnings shares, which amount to only 37.4 million euros in 2025 - a decrease of almost 25 million euros compared to 2022. This worrying development leads to a debt of around 170 million euros, which makes 70 percent of the planned income in 2025, as the Krone reported.

The mayor's decision to initiate consolidation makes you take notice. According to Stadler, savings of up to 25 percent have already been achieved in different areas. Finance director Thomas Wolfsberger announced a comprehensive consolidation process, based on experts from the KDZ - Center for Administrative Research. "Another step is our new efficiency strategies," said Wolfsberger. Despite the precarious financial situation, investments in road construction and infrastructure should not be neglected. A total of eight million euros are planned for street renovations, and the conversion of the promenade ring is to be supported with a budget of over 5.4 million euros, so orf .

political tensions and measures

The FPÖ has a sharp criticism of the Governing SPÖ's financial policy, which is considered irresponsible despite the tense situation. Vice mayor Matthias Adl goes so far that the SPÖ has neglected finances in good times and that the citizens would now have to bear the consequences. The budget is designed as a future -oriented plan, and a steering group in the Finance Committee is also to be founded in order to make the necessary adjustments. The new draft could also include the fees for water, waste water and waste that will be increased gradually by 2026 to secure the financing of past investments.