Hesse managed to manage without new debt in 2023, but sees high risks for future budgets. Finance Minister Alexander Lorz (CDU) did not rule out taking on new debt this year.
Lorz warned: “The golden years of budget policy are over for the time being” The AfD criticized Lorz for painting the picture of a solid economy that Hesse had done in fact dipped heavily into the economic reserve in the past year. In January the state parliament passed the budget for 2023/2024 with the votes of the CDU and Greens.