FPÖ Criticizes BIG's Financial Decline and Budget Deficit as Socialist Failures Resurface

Linz - The financial downturn of the Federal Real Estate Company (BIG) has raised significant concerns, prompting reactions from political leaders. The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) has voiced strong criticism regarding the company's reported losses, calling it a clear indicator of the failures associated with socialist economic policies.

In recent statements, the Deputy Governor of Upper Austria and FPÖ leader Manfred Haimbuchner emphasized the alarming nature of BIG's financial situation. He suggested that the deep losses faced by a state-supported entity like BIG reflect the detrimental impact of socialist planning, specifically pointing fingers at the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and its leaders, including Vice Chancellor Babler and Finance Minister Marterbauer.

Haimbuchner argued that rather than promoting entrepreneurial freedom, the current administration has opted for increased state intervention and bureaucratic inefficiencies. He asserted that these choices have resulted in wasted resources, excessive red tape, and a stagnating economy, which barely sustains itself to keep government officials employed.

Alongside the discussion of BIG's financial status, Haimbuchner highlighted the troubling state of national finances, noting a budget deficit of 5.3 percent of GDP in the first half of 2025. He warned that the government's fiscal policies, including initiatives like rent price caps, exacerbate the already dire economic conditions. Haimbuchner stated that the history of socialist economic strategies has consistently led to financial crises, underscoring the need for a reassessment of the ÖVP's position in collaborating with what he termed Marxist influences in financial governance.

As the economic landscape continues to shift, the FPÖ's critique of the SPÖ's approach reflects broader concerns about the sustainability of current fiscal policies and their implications for Austria's economic future.