armed forces
Pistorius is skeptical about increasing the special fund
Boris Pistorius (SPD) would rather see the defense budget increase in the regular federal budget instead of another special fund. photo
© Marcus Brandt/dpa
The Bundeswehr’s special assets are worth 100 billion euros. Does it need to be increased? A CDU politician brought this option into play. The responsible minister favors something different.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius appears in the debate about a possible increase in the special fund for the Bundeswehr skeptical. “I am happy about any suggestion that helps ensure that defense spending is budgeted sensibly and appropriately,” said the SPD politician to the Germany editorial network. “Another special fund is one option – but not my favorite.” Instead, the minister advocated that the defense budget be increased in the regular federal budget. “For our security, we need a Bundeswehr that is on solid financial footing in the long term.”
The CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter recently brought up a significant increase in the 100 billion euro special pot for the Bundeswehr. “It’s completely clear that we need 300 billion instead of 100 billion so that the Bundeswehr can become combat-ready,” he told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung.”
Pistorius now said that a special fund anchored in the constitution has the advantage that a certain amount is available for a certain period of time and can be spent on equipment, weapons and ammunition. At the same time, however, he pointed out several disadvantages: Firstly, inflation would eat up part of the special assets. “On the other hand, the special fund cannot be used for maintenance, upkeep, repairs and training.” If more weapons were purchased, the long-term cost of repairs would also increase.