Trade Unions and Employers Meet to Discuss Revised Budget after Protests

Trade Unions and employers are meeting today, December 4, to discuss the details of the new budget process. On Friday, social partners are invited to a follow-up meeting at the Ministry of Finance.

Yesterday, MPs in the National Assembly unanimously supported the withdrawal of the draft 2026 state budget.

The suspension of the budget procedure came at the government’s proposal following large-scale protests on Monday. A subsequent meeting at the Ministry of Finance between authorities, trade unions, and business representatives clarified that most of the business sector’s demands will be addressed.

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It has been agreed that the pension contribution will not rise by two percentage points from next year, and the maximum monthly social security insurable income is also expected to increase less than initially planned. This will cost the state budget nearly €1.5 billion, which will be offset by reductions in capital expenditures. If consensus is reached with employers and unions, the revised budget could be ready by Monday.

The government aims for the state budget to be adopted by the end of the month.