FPÖ Calls for Full Disclosure of Asylum Costs in Budget and Monthly Transparency Reports

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has demanded a comprehensive breakdown of asylum-related expenses in the national budget, alongside a monthly transparency report from the Ministry of Finance. The party's leader, Herbert Kickl, emphasized the necessity for clarity regarding the financial implications of asylum and migration policies, particularly given the ongoing budget discussions.

Kickl criticized the current government coalition, describing it as one that conceals rather than reveals crucial financial information. He argued that the costs associated with providing services to asylum seekers--ranging from asylum processing and education to social benefits and healthcare--are shrouded in ambiguity. This lack of transparency, he contends, deprives the Austrian public of the right to know how their tax contributions are being utilized in relation to what he termed an 'all-inclusive service' provided to newcomers.

With the national budget discussions approaching, Kickl insisted that the various ministries must accurately account for expenditures related to asylum and migration in their future financial plans. He also pointed out that regional governments and municipalities must participate in this accountability, particularly in light of calls for budget cuts from the Ministry of Finance.

The FPÖ leader called for a detailed enumeration of all costs associated with asylum and migration, including those incurred by Ukrainian refugees. He requested that the Finance Ministry require federal ministries to present transparent reports on all expenditures related to migration and asylum, incorporating data from regional and local authorities.

Kickl expressed concern over the financial burden that has resulted from increased asylum applications, noting that since 2015, Austria has received approximately 435,000 asylum applications. He highlighted that the funds allocated in the 2024 budget--around 800 million euros for foreign affairs--do not adequately cover the true costs of illegal immigration.

Moreover, he criticized the government for its inability to provide a detailed account of the financial impact of migration on national debt. Previous efforts by the FPÖ to gather comprehensive data on the budgetary effects of migration were met with challenges, as the parliamentary budget office could not fully assess the costs due to significant data gaps.

Kickl pointed out that the increase in asylum requests has contributed to rising national deficits, with further adverse effects anticipated in coming years. He listed numerous expenses associated with asylum seekers, including procedural costs, basic welfare, cash benefits, housing allowances, educational programs, health services, and security costs.

He underscored that the first step towards addressing these issues is to ensure transparency and honesty regarding financial allocations for illegal immigration. By doing so, he believes it will become evident that there exists a significant potential for savings that could benefit the Austrian populace.