VIENNA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Austrian government is planning to reach a zero budget deficit starting from 2019 on the back of a number of cost-cutting measures, its two most senior leaders announced at a press conference Tuesday.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache told the media in Vienna their planned savings measures will amount to 2.5 billion euros (3 billion U.S. dollars). Cuts are to be seen across all ministries other than security and education.
"The goal is a slim state, whereby the tax burden can be reduced for the working population," Kurz said.
The "ambitious" plan will see the government cut taxes to the tune of 2 billion euros (2.4 billion U.S. dollars).
The chancellor noted that a zero-budget deficit has eluded Austrian governments for decades, but that "this government will manage it."
