Brussels, 24/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Due to the increased cost of borrowing on the money markets, Austria has taken drastic measures to ensure it hangs on to its coveted AAA credit rating (the top rating). Austria's central bank is requiring the country's banks (Erste, for example) to slash lending in central and Eastern Europe. In 2012, Austrian banks will only be allowed to lend up to €110 for every €100 they have on deposit in subsidiaries in central and East European countries. The Austrian Social Democrat (SPÖ) and Conservative (ÖVP) coalition government has asked for a golden rule to be added to the constitution to limit the country's debts. After Spain, Austria is the second eurozone country to react to France and Germany's suggestion in the summit that all 17 eurozone nations have the golden rule in their constitutions. In 2012, Austria's public deficit is expected to stand at 3.4% and its debt at 73.2% of GDP, according to the European Commission's Autumn Growth Forecasts. (MB/transl.fl)