17/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 17 February, the Council of the European Union authorised Austria to activate the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact to allow Vienna to increase its annual military spending by up to 1.5% of national GDP over the period 2025-2028 (see EUROPE 13808/28). This decision will allow “a smooth transition to higher defence spending while safeguarding fiscal sustainability”, according to the current President of the Ecofin Council, Cypriot Finance Minister Mákis Keravnós. Sixteen Member States have already activated the national escape clause of the Stability Pact (see EUROPE 13632/8). Austria is subject to an excessive deficit procedure (see EUROPE 13676/23). See the decision of the Council of the EU concerning Austria: https://aeur.eu/f/ks6 (MB)