FPÖ Critiques WIFO Chief's Pessimistic Economic Forecast

In a recent statement, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has expressed concerns regarding the economic outlook provided by the head of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The FPÖ's economic spokesperson criticized the government's ability to address the national debt and stop the ongoing economic decline.

The FPÖ highlighted that even the WIFO director lacks confidence in the government's capacity to reduce the budget deficit to the Maastricht criteria of three percent of GDP by 2030. This situation has raised alarms, given the current economic climate marked by record debts, taxes, and inflation, alongside excessive bureaucracy and unfriendly energy policies.

The FPÖ spokesperson called for significant tax reductions instead of proposed tax increases, particularly emphasizing the need for lower basic taxes and a reduction in value-added tax on essential food items. This proposal aims to alleviate the financial burden on citizens, who are increasingly challenged by rising living costs.

Moreover, the FPÖ expressed disappointment over the WIFO chief's comments regarding Austria's preparedness for potential future crises, such as another pandemic scenario. The spokesperson noted that the previous government's handling of pandemic measures led to significant restrictions on fundamental rights and considerable financial repercussions, contributing to the current budgetary challenges.

The FPÖ firmly believes that the current administration's policies have transformed Austria into a nation grappling with negative records, and they argue that the focus should shift towards constructive economic solutions that prioritize taxpayers' interests.