Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said he could block the European Union’s proposed 2028-34 budget if it exceeds Vienna’s unspecified limit, adding a veto threat to talks over a nearly €2 trillion spending plan.
“There is a pain threshold for Austria. If this pain threshold is exceeded, I will not agree,” Stocker told German newspaper Die Welt, Anadolu Agency reported. He did not specify where the threshold lies.
Stocker also objected to a reported European Commission plan to add 2,500 administrative posts to the EU, which he called unreasonable, Anadolu reported. He said Austria was cutting 2,600 administrative positions. Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Denmark also oppose the budget proposal, according to Anadolu.
The Commission’s proposal covers the seven-year period from 2028 through 2034 and totals almost €2 trillion, according to the Commission. After the October summit, governments remained divided, France 24 reported; EconoTimes covered the unresolved budget talks.
Anadolu reported that Austria is subject to an EU deficit procedure and must consolidate its budget. Stocker cited those fiscal constraints in calling for discipline in Brussels, linking Austria’s budget obligations to his criticism of the proposed increase in EU administrative posts.
The Commission’s proposal is not final on its own: the Council of the European Union must approve it unanimously, and the European Parliament must consent, the Commission says. A government’s refusal could therefore prevent the Council from approving the framework.
European Council President António Costa is expected to present a revised framework at the special budget summit scheduled for Nov. 26-27, France 24 reported. The European Parliamentary Research Service also lists a special summit for those dates.
