Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer Defends Double Budget

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) defended Austria’s “double budget” in a press briefing, stating that while some individual measures, such as higher unemployment‑insurance contributions for low‑wage workers, have a negative distributional impact, the overall effect of the budget is "quite acceptable." He expressed confidence that the plan will reduce the fiscal deficit to the EU‑mandated 3 % of GDP by 2028, despite the Austrian National Bank’s concerns about statistical effects and the future EU contribution. Marterbauer emphasized that consolidation will rely mainly on revenue‑side measures rather than spending cuts, arguing this protects consumption and distributional equity. He rejected proposals to slash health or education spending and dismissed accusations of “post‑office‑style” patronage linked to the promotion of a cabinet colleague. The minister also addressed ancillary issues: a modest increase in contributions to the Family Allowance Fund for older workers, limited expectations for employment effects, and his opposition to raising the statutory retirement age. Ongoing negotiations with the federal states on wage‑related cost reductions were described as constructive, with a forthcoming round of talks scheduled.