Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has initially sided with Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) in his coalition’s budget dispute. “The finance minister gave the departments limits – that was agreed upon with me. Now the usual laborious process of bringing wishes and reality into harmony begins,” Scholz told the magazine “Stern”. “I hope that everyone is aware of their responsibility and that we can do this together.”
Scholz said he had his ideas about possible savings, without being more specific. “Each of us is feeling the financial consequences of the war in Ukraine, the costs for refugees, arms deliveries and development aid. Anyone who says that this is hardly noticeable in the budget is wrong,” he explained and then made two guidelines: “We are not allowed to… sinning against social cohesion or failing to stimulate growth.” When asked about new exceptions to the debt brake, which Lindner and the FDP are resisting, Scholz replied: “We shouldn’t make life too easy for ourselves. Now it’s time to sweat.”
The ongoing negotiations on the federal budget for the coming year will once again be a stress test for the coalition. Several federal ministries do not want to adhere to Lindner’s strict austerity guidelines – which Lindner in turn sharply criticizes. The aim is to reach an agreement by the beginning of July.
