Styria plans 594 million euros in new debt for 2027
Friday 9th October 2026 on 06:30 in
Austria
Styria plans to borrow 594 million euros in 2027, according to a draft budget presented on Thursday, ORF Steiermark reported. The state expects revenues of about 8.86 billion euros and spending of roughly 9.45 billion euros, leaving a net financing gap of 594 million euros. That is about 241 million euros less new borrowing than in 2026.
Overall state debt is expected to rise to 8.8 billion euros. Governor Mario Kunasek of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and his deputy, Manuela Khom of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), said the government would make savings while setting priorities. “Everyone will have to make a contribution,” Khom said.
Health spending is due to fall by 30 million euros, while funding for care is set to rise by 72 million euros. Health councillor Karlheinz Kornhäusl said savings would come from administration and structures rather than services for the public.
The culture budget will be cut by 2.2 million euros. Kornhäusl said funding for the independent cultural scene would remain roughly at its 2026 level. He also called for structural changes at the state’s Universalmuseum Joanneum museum and Bühnen Graz theatres to improve efficiency. The state’s ORF levy, much of which has gone to culture, is due to be abolished on 31 December 2028.
The education department faces no major cuts, and school assistants are to be retained. In the social affairs budget, tighter rules are expected to reduce social assistance costs by 7.5 million euros. The government plans to add 15.75 million euros for services for people with disabilities and 7.95 million euros for child and youth welfare. It also said protection against violence would remain a priority.
Funding for weather-risk insurance is set to increase by 3.75 million euros, a rise of 25 percent, while state funding for flood protection will increase by almost 80 percent. The budget also cuts housing spending and ends grants for replacing heating boilers. Transport funding for expanding the cycle network will be reduced, while road projects including the B70 and the B68 are to proceed. The overnight stay levy is set to rise, and sports funding will fall by 1.1 million euros.
Opposition parties criticised the draft. SPÖ leader Max Lercher said symbolic savings in government offices did not offset the scale of the cuts. KPÖ representative Alexander Melinz accused the FPÖ and ÖVP of favouring wealthy people and leaving those who rely on social support and public healthcare behind.