The federal government spent almost 458 billion euros last year – slightly less than planned. This is shown by the preliminary annual financial statements. Federal Finance Minister Lindner speaks of a trend reversal.
The news comes in the middle of the difficult discussions about the new budget and should provide some relief for the traffic light partners: in 2023, the federal government will spend just under 458 billion euros, slightly below plan.
This was due, among other things, to the fact that the framework for interest expenditure on national debt did not have to be fully exhausted. As a result, the federal government took out slightly fewer new loans than planned.
However, the result is even stronger when it comes to reserves: after the presentation of the preliminary annual financial statements, the federal government has a good six billion euros additionally available for the current budget.
Lindner: “We have to stay on this course”
The funds are likely to be used in particular to finance Ahrtal aid. The federal government would therefore not have to rely on a new emergency resolution to create additional debt.
According to Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), the year 2023 will mark a return to stable and sustainable public finances. “We have to stay on this course,” said Lindner. Spending would have to be prioritized more strongly than before.
Hans-Joachim Vieweger, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, January 16, 2024 7:26 p.m