Bundestag
Scholz’s reassuring speech on the budget
“The state will continue to fulfill its tasks”: Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
The Karlsruhe ruling hit the traffic lights hard – the Chancellor also admits that. He cannot yet present any real decisions. Opposition leader Merz denies him the ability to be chancellor.
Current expenses could continue to flow. “The ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court does not change anything in your everyday life here and today – regardless of whether you receive child benefit or student loan, a pension or housing benefit,” assured Scholz.
The Federal Constitutional Court had declared the reallocation of 60 billion euros in the 2021 budget to be null and void. The money was approved as a Corona loan, but was subsequently intended to be used for climate protection and the modernization of the economy. At the same time, the judges decided that the state was not allowed to set aside emergency loans for later years. The federal government has done this in several special funds, including for energy price caps.
Therefore, unlike planned, the Bundestag cannot decide on the budget for the coming year this week. The traffic light coalition is facing tough negotiations because up to 20 billion euros have to be saved. In addition, a decision must be made as to which projects from the climate and transformation fund can still be implemented, even though 60 billion euros are missing. Finance Minister Christian Lindner has therefore already prepared his traffic light colleagues for “significant efforts”.
Scholz also hinted at tough decisions. The Bundestag has postponed the conclusion of the budget discussions. “This gives us time to explore the scope available in the budget, set priorities and, of course, limit spending,” he said. However, he did not provide any further details. It also remained unclear when the budget for the coming year would be decided.
Merz: “You can’t do it”
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz then sharply attacked Scholz and denied him the authority to become chancellor. “You can’t,” he said. A chancellor’s shoes are at least two sizes too big for Scholz. The SPD politician only gave technical answers to highly political decisions. “You are a plumber of power,” criticized Merz. The Union faction leader accused Scholz of not apologizing for unconstitutional manipulation of the debt brake – he didn’t even express a word of regret.
Scholz admitted that the Karlsruhe ruling made the work of his traffic light coalition much more difficult. “This ruling creates a new reality – for the federal government and for all current and future governments, at the federal and state levels. A reality that, however, makes it more difficult to achieve important and widely shared goals for our country,” he said .
Scholz still wants to stick to Germany’s modernization course. It would be a “serious, unforgivable mistake” to neglect this now, because this would create good jobs, a strong economy and thus the foundation of future prosperity. The major modernization projects for Germany have not become obsolete. He wants Germany to be at the forefront of future technologies. “Because it’s about a lot for all of us. It’s about secure jobs. It’s about a competitive economy. It’s about a good life for future generations. And it’s about our ability to safely overcome future crises.” With these premises in mind, the budget for the coming year will now be discussed.