On Tuesday 8 May, the ambassadors of the member states to the EU (Coreper) decided to fine Austria €26.82 million for negligence in submitting budgetary data to the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).
This will make the fine 10% lower than that recommended by the European Commission in February 2017 (see EUROPE 11731). The root cause lies with the authorities of the region of Salzburg, which submitted incorrect data to Vienna, a situation that led the Austrian State to declare incorrect data to Eurostat on government debt and deficit over the period 2008-2012.
Although the national statistical office was notified of the errors in 2012, it did not see fit to tell the Commission until October 2013.
Although a Council document dated 27 March suggested that Austria would be favourable to a reduced fine of €23.84 million, the AGEFI revealed last week that by proposal of Estonia, the technical experts had agreed on the amount of €26.82 million on 23 April.
The decision was made by reinforced quality majority, in line with the rules in force for actions of this kind. It will be submitted to the Council in the coming weeks to be formally adopted without discussion.
The Austrian finance minister, Hartwig Löger, described the reduction of the fine as a “real success”. “Austria simply could not accept the €29.8 million proposed by the Commission”, he told the Austrian press agency APA. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau with Pascal Hansens)