Because the German economy is weakening, demands for an economic stimulus have recently become loud. Green Co-Chef Robert Habeck has now made a new proposal.
The government should set up a up to 35 billion euros heavy "Federal Investment Fund", said Habeck the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". The money will be spent on large-scale public projects, for the reconstruction of public transport, for example, or the afforestation of forests or the conversion of agriculture.
In order to fill the fund, the Greens want to loosen the debt brake enshrined in the Basic Law, which regulates the limitation of the state's reclamations. This is to be supplemented by a binding rule which also prescribes investments.
"A debt brake is an investment driver," said Habeck. If the Confederation creates new values, this should also be financed by the placement of new bonds.
Maastricht criteria instead of black zero
The Greens want to change the debt brake so that it fits in with the so-called Maastricht criteria of the EU. These allow an annual deficit of one percent of economic output if a government's debt ratio is below 60 percent of GDP. Germany is currently just below this mark.
The current debt brake is more restrictive: According to this, the state may borrow only 0.35 percent of its economic power, and the countries must not.
Politicians are currently discussing a lot about how the state should pay for the investments that are necessary for climate protection, for example. This is usually about the "black zero", on the particular pushes the Union - that is, the budget should be balanced.
The grand coalition does not want to shake it. Instead, she is considering, among other things, "issuing climate bonds", that is borrowing money from citizens at a fixed rate for climate protection projects. Others argue that, given the low interest rates for the government, it would be better to make debts with banks, for example.
