Boetticher criticizes the state government's budget course
The Economic Council of the Northern CDU has sharply criticized the budget policy of the black-green coalition of Minister President Daniel Günther (CDU). Neither the federal government nor the state of Schleswig-Holstein have a revenue problem, said state chairman Christian von Boetticher on Tuesday. Last week, the state parliament declared a budget emergency for 2023 and already for 2024.
"The budget emergency can perhaps still be justified for 2023 with a lot of goodwill and in view of the effects of the war in Ukraine, even if it seems strange to only retroactively determine an emergency for an entire year at the end of the year," said von Boetticher. For the coming year, this approach is like a blank check for the state government to take on debt. At the same time, federal and state revenues had risen to a record high. The same applies to the tax burden.
"Politicians must learn to prioritize their spending again," said von Boetticher. Not all desirable projects could be implemented. Governments should not continually pacify disagreements in coalitions by increasing expenditure. "If the first reaction to financial bottlenecks in budgets is always to call for a softening or even the abolition of the debt brake, governments obviously lack the political will and courage to make unpopular and uncomfortable decisions and to stand up for them."
The Economic Council of the Northern CDU emphasized the need for financial prioritization in household-like budgeting, as they criticized the state government's reliance on debt for the coming year, despite record-high revenues and tax burdens. Additionally, Christian von Boetticher suggested that the state government should reconsider hosting extravagant parties, considering the current budget situation, to demonstrate their commitment to responsible financial management.
Source: www.dpa.com
