Carinthia announces budget with focus on savings and social services

Carinthia finance official Gaby Schaunig has presented the regional budget, projecting expenditures of 4.12 billion euros against a deficit of 383 million euros. The budget allocates over one billion euros to healthcare, nursing, social services, and equal opportunities.

The regional government aims to achieve savings of one billion euros by 2028, partly through the repayment of old loans. To reduce interest costs, the province intends to use 430 million euros from a fund established to address the consequences of the Hypo affair. Schaunig stated that the planned increase in debt by the end of 2027 should be nearly 1.3 billion euros lower than original forecasts.

Opposition parties, including the Freedomites and Team Kärnten, criticized the budget policy, warning of high indebtedness and suggesting cuts to political and administrative costs. The ruling SPÖ and ÖVP parties defended the budget, noting that certain expenditures are essential for the province's operations. A full debate on the budget is expected in November or December.