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Christian Lindner: »It is a question of social sensitivity that we do not leave these people alone as a state community of solidarity«
Photo: IMAGO/Janine Schmitz/photothek.de / IMAGO/photothek
Finance Minister Christian Lindner has promised relief for citizens in view of the high energy prices.
"As a coalition, we agree: Further relief will come," said the FDP leader at the beginning of the budget debate in the Bundestag.
The coalition is currently discussing different models, he expects that in the end there will be a package with different measures, “because the living conditions in our country are also very different”.
Lindner pleaded for further help for recipients of basic security in view of the rising food costs.
For some people, the current cost of living means "the kids won't get new shoes," Lindner said.
It is a "question of social sensitivity that we do not leave these people alone as a state community of solidarity".
But the broad middle of society is also burdened with mobility.
Lindner expects “that in the end a combination of different instruments will be used”.
Previously, Lindner had suggested a subsidy when refueling.
After that, funding “with the watering can” without a social component was criticized in many cases – Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had also dismissed the idea.
New borrowing, special assets, supplementary budget
So far, Lindner is planning new debt of 99.7 billion euros for 2022.
However, this is likely to increase significantly: the finance minister confirmed his plan in the Bundestag to present a supplementary budget as soon as possible.
It is intended to show further state reactions to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
"Only measures that are directly related to the consequences of the Ukraine war will be added," said Lindner, with a view to possible further budget requests from the various ministries.
The FDP chairman confirmed his intention to comply with the debt brake again from 2023.
He is counting on “that in the coming year there will no longer be an emergency”, which would allow an exception to the debt rule in the Basic Law.
Compliance with the debt brake is then a "command of our constitution," said Lindner.
Outside of the federal budget, the Bundeswehr special fund announced by Chancellor Scholz is to be set up in the current year.
It is said to have a volume of 100 billion euros, financed by loans.
The point here is to "strengthen the Bundeswehr, which has been neglected for many years," said Lindner.
Criticism from the Union
The opposition criticized the budget plans.
CSU regional group chief Alexander Dobrindt accused Lindner of having presented a budget draft with large gaps.
For the Bundestag, this is "not a budget to be discussed, but a budget riddle to be guessed at," said Dobrindt.
There is a lack of funding in three major areas: defense, lowering energy prices and the costs for the refugees from Ukraine.
In the defense sector, Dobrindt basically supported the planned special fund of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr.
However, he criticized the fact that it was not yet clear how the necessary debt would be repaid.
This is a condition for the Union to agree to the plans to anchor the special fund in the Basic Law.
Even with the high energy prices, Lindner failed to come up with clear plans to relieve the burden on the public.
"Reduce the taxes at the pump," Dobrindt demanded.
He reiterated the Union's proposal to reduce VAT and mineral oil tax.
The parliamentary manager of the Union parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei, criticized the fact that the federal government was not planning to increase the defense budget in addition to the planned 100 billion euro special fund.
The Union will not agree to the necessary constitutional changes in connection with the Bundeswehr program without increases in the defense budget.
bka/AFP/dpa