As of: January 30, 2024, 10:58 a.m
By: Vincent Fischer
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The guests at “Hard but Fair” are actually debating the introduction of climate money.
But then SPD politician Carsten Schneider makes a surprisingly open confession.
Munich – The ARD program “Hart aber fair” returned from the winter break on Monday (January 29th) – and with a significantly changed concept.
Moderator Louis Klamroth presented himself completely renewed in the redesigned studio, with a new hairstyle and a new selection of guests.
Topic of the program: “Anger, protest, new parties: Who still holds our country together?” Only three politicians debated at Klamroth’s table on Monday evening.
Traffic light politician Carsten Schneider (SPD) made a surprisingly open confession.
Billion-dollar gap in the federal budget: SPD politician with surprising confession
Since the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling in November 2023, there has been a billion-dollar gap in the federal budget.
Only after a tough struggle were the leaders of the traffic light parties able to agree on a financial plan for this year.
The government faces another tough battle in 2025.
Schneider, Minister of State under the Chancellor and Federal Government Commissioner for East Germany since 2021, made no secret of the federal government's financial problems.
“Hard but fair”: The guests on the January 29th show
Carsten Schneider (SPD), State Minister and Federal Government Commissioner for East Germany
Carsten Linnemann (CDU), Secretary General
Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), founder and chairwoman of the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht
Zuhra Visnijc, master hairdresser from Remscheid
Tijen Onaran, entrepreneur and author
Nils Kumkar, sociologist at the University of Bremen, project manager at the “Research Institute for Social Cohesion”
Maria Fichte, involved in the “Freiberg for all” network
In order to relieve citizens of the rising costs of CO₂ pricing, the traffic light is planning to introduce climate money.
Before the payment can be made, organizational and technical hurdles must be overcome.
Moderator Klamroth wanted to know from Schneider whether the climate money would be introduced before the 2025 federal election.
“We simply have no more money”: the introduction of climate money is delayed
“The climate money will come, but only in the next steps of the increase in the next legislative period,” said Schneider.
The increase in the CO₂ price was decided by the last government.
“The funds raised will help us, for example, to reduce the EEG levy and subsidize energy conversion.” Only then can the federal government relieve the burden on citizens.
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Discussing in the new “Hard but Fair” studio: (from left) SPD politician Carsten Schneider, CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann and BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht.
© Screenshot ARD
The reason for this: “I wanted to say a few honest words about the financial situation: We simply have no money left,” said Schneider, causing general astonishment in the group.
In recent years, the federal government has spent 800 billion euros on Corona aid and subsidizing gas and electricity prices alone.
Now it's payback time.
And that's why I'm not standing in front of you today and can tell you that we can still finance all of this.
SPD politician Carsten Schneider
“Now it’s payback time.
And that's why I'm not standing in front of you today and can tell you that we can still finance all of this.
“It is now the time for repayment,” said Schneider.
“First we have to take care of our people”: Debate about climate money at “Hard but Fair”
“You hear a lot about where the money goes,” replied Zuhra Visnijc, a master hairdresser from Remscheid.
“First we have to take care of our people.
Germany must remain strong so that it can help others,” said Visnijc, alluding to the debate about development aid from the federal government.
Schneider countered: “I believe that this country is significantly stronger than it is made out to be.”
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann attacked the traffic lights.
The CO₂ price makes “economic sense” because it allows politicians to create incentives to behave efficiently in terms of energy policy.
But to compensate, the federal government must keep its promise and introduce climate money as compensation.
CDU General Secretary attacks traffic lights: “That’s what’s dangerous about politics”
“As a state, I first take the money away from the citizens, and then I say: I don’t have any money anymore, you can’t get it back!” said Linnemann.
“That's the dangerous thing about politics, when at the same time I keep expanding the state.
Then of course people say, they don't start with themselves, they take the money but don't give it back.
That is the core problem.”
(vfi)