The Federal government attained the goal of budget consolidation in 1997. The net deficit declined to 2.6 percent of GDP. The other territorial authorities have also exceeded their goals. Thus, the general government deficit totaled only 2.5 percent of GDP, and Austria has easily met the budget...

In February 2000, the Austrian Federal Government set itself the target of achieving a balanced budget by 2002. A domestic stability pact was agreed that specified the budget performance to be achieved by the central, regional and local authorities. To this end, a comprehensive consolidation...