With the trough of the recession following the global financial market crisis having been passed, fiscal policy is faced with the need to return to a sustainable path. The federal government targets a reduction of the general government deficit (in the Maastricht definition) below the ceiling of...

According to the draft federal budget for 2012, the general government deficit in the Maastricht definition is to be reduced to 3.2 percent of GDP; the debt-to-GDP ratio will move further up to 74.6 percent. The share of transfers, including retirement payments, in total federal expenditure is...

The current crisis makes for the most difficult macro-economic environment for fiscal policy since the Second World War. The ratio of the general government deficit and of government debt to GDP each rise markedly above the "Maastricht" reference value. The structural (cyclically-adjusted)...

The tax reform 2009-10 compensates for fiscal drag and makes an important contribution towards combating the current economic crisis. It also includes elements for a better reconciliation of work and family obligations. Other essential economic goals will, however, not be achieved. Neither will...

The new Austrian domestic Stability Pact aims at the achievement of a zero deficit until 2008. At the federal level, the Maastricht-relevant deficit is to be reduced to 0.75 percent of GDP, states and municipalities together are obliged to obtain a surplus of 0.75 percent of GDP in 2008. The new...

The 2004-05 tax reform and the after-effects of the stimulus packages, which were introduced as a counter-measure to the weak economic growth during the past three years, will increase the overall budget deficit to 1.9 percent of GDP in 2005. Transfer expenditures will gain in weight again. The...