National Council discusses Doppelbudget: Foreign Ministry in focus!

National Council discusses Doppelbudget: Foreign Ministry in focus!

On June 17, 2025, the first meeting for the debate of the 2025/2026 double budget for the Foreign Ministry begins in the National Council. This budget provides a total of 655.7 million euros in 2025 and has an increase of 12.7 million euros compared to the previous year. The increase in funds is primarily intended for personnel in the central office and in representative authorities. In addition, the contributions to international organizations are increased in order to meet the requirements for peace-preserving measures and the candidacy for the UN Security Council 2027/2028

However, there are also cuts. The funds for the foreign catastrophic fund (AKF) and the development cooperation (EZA) should be declining. For 2026, the withdrawals are planned at 619.7 million euros, which corresponds to a decline of 36 million euros. As part of the budget planning, 10 million euros are planned for the candidacy in the UN Security Council.

political reactions and applications

The debate shows different political positions. The FPÖ criticizes the increase in payments to international organizations, while the Greens are calling for the strengthening of global partnerships and at the same time criticizing the savings in development cooperation. The NEOS, on the other hand, praise the consolidation contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasize the importance of messages and consulates. The ÖVP emphasizes the need for a responsible policy and humanitarian aid, while the SPÖ calls for an active foreign policy and sharply criticizes the falling funds for EZA.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger makes it clear that all departments have to contribute to the consolidation of the budget. It makes it clear that no closures of messages are planned and that the focus should be on deregulation and de -bureaucratization. In addition, the “Refocus Austria” program is presented, which is intended to help Austrian companies.

international dimension

The planned measures are in another international context, since the discussions about UN budget planning for 2025 are also relevant. The UN's administrative and budget committee has published documents on the proposed program plans and budgets that treat political and social affairs as well as help and development cooperation. These documents are published promptly in the un-Official Document system to increase the transparency of budgeting and expenses, as un.org

The financing of international organizations has increased in complexity in recent decades. In addition to the UN, other important players such as the WTO and NATO play a role. As europarl.europa.eu is the access to stable, financial resources crucial for the implementation of global goals, and the individual member states make an essential Budget design with.