Heated debate in the state parliament: Styria wrestles around Budget 2025!

Heated debate in the state parliament: Styria wrestles around Budget 2025!

In Styria, the state parliament meeting is all about the controversial budget design for 2025. In a lively discussion between the parties, it became apparent that opinions differ widely. The blue-black state government has presented the budget draft since the beginning of April, but the criticism of the opposition parties remains unmistakable. The vote on the proposal is still pending after there have been several hours of intensive exchange.

Finance State Councilor Willibald Ehrenhöfer (ÖVP) vehemently defended the draft and described it as a "mix of necessary and feasible". However, the government has had to work with a budget provision so far, since the state election makes a quick decision at the end of 2024. In order to adopt the budget 2025, a simple majority is needed, which is secured solely by the voices of FPÖ and ÖVP.

opposite views on housekeeping

The criticism of the budget is extensive: the KPÖ criticizes the "neoliberal logic of the shortening". In the meantime, the Greens provide new income sources and propose a truck toll. The SPÖ in your place demands targeted investments in the infrastructure, instead of making cuts. In addition, the Neos

The budget provides for income of around 8.2 billion euros, while expenses are around 9.1 billion euros. This results in a stately deficit of around 942 million euros. When taking office, the state government even found an impending deficit of 1.5 billion euros.

additional topics of the debate

But that is not the only topic on the agenda: the modernization of the Murtalbahn, which goes hand in hand with an investment of around six million euros in the general renovation of existing vehicles, also ensures conversation. However, federal funds that transport state councilor Claudia Holzer (FPÖ) have already applied for for electrification are required. In this context, there are critical signals from the federal government that have indicated possible cuts.

Another controversial topic results from the planned guideline in the Liezen district. This project was stopped in January, which led to violent criticism because of the lack of transparency. Health Councilor Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP) announced that the report of the expert commission should be published by the end of June. The members of this commission remain anonymous to ensure uninfluenced work.

A stricter ban on begging is also due to the vote - another topic that ensures plenty of conversation in the population.

How the discussion will develop remains to be seen. However, it is certain that the coming days will remain politically exciting for Styria.