Marterbauer: Chemotherapy 'went well' after cancer diagnosis

Austrian Finance Minister Magnus Marterbauer made his first public appearance since revealing his cancer diagnosis at the government's summer council meeting in Salzburg. Marterbauer, who announced two weeks prior that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, stated that he began chemotherapy treatment and described it as having gone "very well."

"I feel very fit," Marterbauer told reporters. He mentioned taking a few days off for a vacation in Waldviertel following the start of his treatment. The minister intends to remain in office during his therapy, with his treatment scheduled to allow him to continue fulfilling his duties as finance minister.

Beyond his personal health update, Marterbauer also addressed the national budget. He reported that the first half of the year had been "quite good" for the federal budget, performing slightly better than projected. He noted that improved data from stability pacts now provide a clearer picture of regional and municipal finances, which also showed positive development in the first half of the year. "From a budgetary perspective, I am very satisfied," he stated, though he cautioned that the current situation does not yet allow for conclusions about the entire year.

Marterbauer also confirmed that Austria has applied for the fifth and final tranche of funds from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility, amounting to 300 million euros. He affirmed that "all milestones have been met" for this disbursement, which will bring Austria's total receipts from the fund to four billion euros. Regarding the proposed military service reform, Marterbauer stated that the Finance Ministry would examine the associated costs, emphasizing that any expenses must be covered within the existing federal financial framework, as "new money is not available for it."

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Ich fühle mich sehr fit