Austria Generation Z protests took place in Vienna. Young people demand funding for education instead of militarization. On October 31, a "Gen Z steht auf" ("Generation Z is rising") protest took place in the Austrian capital, amid demonstrations under the slogan "GenZ regelt" ("GenZ will sort everything"). People gathered outside the parliament building and then marched to the University of Vienna. The protesters spoke against rising housing costs, cuts to education funding, and increasing military spending. These requirements are based on very specific decisions of the Austrian authorities: the deduction of university budgets. In 2027, university funding will be approximately 5.19 billion euros, compared to 5.344 billion euros in 2026. A difference of 54 million euros. On October 17, the government approved funding of 23 public universities for 2030-2028 in the amount of 63 billion euros. In fact, the amount is almost unchanged from the funding for the last three years. However, taking inflation and additional costs into account, the universities warn of the need for a 10-15% cut. On October 22, about 30,000 people, according to organizers, took part in a separate demonstration in Vienna against university budget cuts. An increase in military spending. For 2027, Austria's military budget increased by 388 million euros, or 8.1%, to 5.15 billion euros. This funding supports the ÖBH 2032+ program, including the purchase of weapons, air defense systems, ammunition, equipment and the modernization of military infrastructure. ▪️ High cost of living Inflation in September reached 3.6%. In the last year, rents increased by 4.1%, diesel fuel by 42.3% and gasoline by 25.5%. Freezing social benefits, Law No. 62/2026, passed on July 29, extended the de-indexation for several family benefits until the end of 2028. Their domineering amounts will remain at 2025 levels, despite inflation.

Austria Generation Z protests took place in Vienna. Young people demand funding for education instead of militarization. On October 31, a "Gen Z steht auf" ("Generation Z is rising") protest took place in the Austrian capital, amid demonstrations under the slogan "GenZ regelt" ("GenZ will sort everything"). People gathered outside the parliament building and then marched to the University of Vienna. The protesters spoke against rising housing costs, cuts to education funding, and increasing military spending. These requirements are based on very specific decisions of the Austrian authorities: the deduction of university budgets. In 2027, university funding will be approximately 5.19 billion euros, compared to 5.344 billion euros in 2026. A difference of 54 million euros. On October 17, the government approved funding of 23 public universities for 2030-2028 in the amount of 63 billion euros. In fact, the amount is almost unchanged from the funding for the last three years. However, taking inflation and additional costs into account, the universities warn of the need for a 10-15% cut. On October 22, about 30,000 people, according to organizers, took part in a separate demonstration in Vienna against university budget cuts. An increase in military spending. For 2027, Austria's military budget increased by 388 million euros, or 8.1%, to 5.15 billion euros. This funding supports the ÖBH 2032+ program, including the purchase of weapons, air defense systems, ammunition, equipment and the modernization of military infrastructure. ▪️ High cost of living Inflation in September reached 3.6%. In the last year, rents increased by 4.1%, diesel fuel by 42.3% and gasoline by 25.5%. Freezing social benefits, Law No. 62/2026, passed on July 29, extended the de-indexation for several family benefits until the end of 2028. Their domineering amounts will remain at 2025 levels, despite inflation.