Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) faces a major challenge.
At the weekend, the showdown in the coalition committee threatens.
Munich – A few days ago, Christian Lindner was on the ARD program “Maischberger” and gave the chancellor good advice in front of an audience of millions.
"I believe that in times of more home office and location-flexible work, a new building next to the Chancellery, which costs at least 800 million, is unnecessary," said the Minister of Finance.
And with a little giggle, Lindner added, referring to Olaf Scholz: "I think he'll be displeased that I've suggested this here." But that's his job.
Finance Minister Lindner is on the brakes on spending – hoping for a coalition committee
Yes, the minister is currently making few friends with his job.
Lindner is on the spending brakes, while fellow ministers throw billions around.
The coalition committee on Sunday should bring the breakthrough.
Apparently, the FDP chairman wants to set an example in advance.
Yesterday he even put the plans for an extension of his own ministry on hold
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"We don't have affordable housing.
It therefore makes little sense to use the scarce space for new ministries,” Lindner is quoted as saying.
"Instead, we will now check whether living space can be created here." A side note: when the plans were born in the ministry in 2019, the head of the house was Olaf Scholz.
There is no question: In view of the dimensions of a federal budget, the amounts involved are comparatively manageable – but there is a great deal of symbolism.
Lindner never tires of emphasizing the new realities: rising costs and higher interest rates on the one hand, but also the more difficult income situation on the other.
His ministry only published the new monthly report on Tuesday (March 21): Compared to January and February 2022, 1.8 percent less flowed into the state coffers in the first two months of this year.
The decline in February was particularly clear at 4.2 percent.
Reasons are the increase in the basic tax allowance, but also the temporary reduction in value added tax on gas and district heating.
In other words: relief for the citizens.
“Massive spending problem”: Lindner wants to set an example by stopping new construction
The budget plans were to be presented in the cabinet two weeks ago, but Lindner postponed the appointment.
Desires that are too expensive: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants ten billion euros more a year – in addition to the special fund of 100 billion euros that has hardly been called up so far.
Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) demands twelve billion for basic child security.
Lindner thinks that two billion are enough.
All in all, there are wishes with additional expenditure of 70 billion euros.
In addition, SPD leader Saskia Esken is drumming for another special fund of 100 billion euros, this time for education.
With the stop of his new building, Lindner now wants to set an example against the "massive spending problem" - incidentally he is increasing the pressure on Scholz at the Chancellery.
But no one wants to follow suit, the SPD and the Greens are rather looking at the unused funds for defense, climate protection or energy.
That would not be existing money, but already approved borrowings.
Showdown on Sunday: Lindner hopes for Scholz in the coalition committee
Internally, the FDP is already skeptical that a compromise should not be found by hook or by crook on Sunday.
It's not about speed.
Lindner sees no leeway, refers to the problematic interest rate development.
He has to pay almost 40 billion in interest this year.
Ten times more than 2021.
Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance
Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance
At the showdown on Sunday, the minister hopes above all for the chancellor's support.
After all, Olaf Scholz was once Finance Minister himself.
Whereby: When Lindner was recently asked about Scholz at Maischberger, the FDP boss replied smugly: "He was a social democratic finance minister – and placed a lot of money on the spending side." (
Mike Schier)
