Brandenburg does not want any cutbacks after budget ruling
Following the budget ruling, the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs does not want to accept any cutbacks in future funding projects. This concerns projects that are linked to the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF). "It is clear to us that all projects that are to be financed by the KTF must remain feasible. I don't see any leeway in the projects," said State Secretary Hendrik Fischer (SPD). He represented Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD), who is ill, at the consultations of the federal and state economics and energy ministers in Berlin on Monday.
Following the budget ruling, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) wants to maintain the funding of economic projects worth billions and look for ways to do this together with the federal states.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs was initially unable to say on Monday which specific projects in Brandenburg could be affected. Finance Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) had said last week that the Ministry of the Environment could be affected with the "Natural Climate Protection Action Program", as well as the Ministry of Construction with measures for energy efficiency and renewable energies in buildings and the Ministry of Economics with a program.
"With regard to the financing of future projects, the state must wait and see what proposals the federal government will put forward to offset the 60 billion euros in borrowing," said Fischer. The Federal Constitutional Court had declared a reallocation of 60 billion euros in the 2021 budget to be unconstitutional. The federal government is therefore not allowed to use funds intended to combat the coronavirus crisis for climate protection. This could have a major impact on the Climate and Transformation Fund.
Regarding the debate on a further suspension of the debt brake, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Fischer said in Potsdam: "In my view, the debt brake must also be lifted beyond 2023 for the budget year 2024. We still need room to maneuver in order to remain capable of acting - especially in these times."
The Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs acknowledges the importance of maintaining household budgets, stating that cutbacks in future funding projects linked to the Climate and Transformation Fund could impact the feasibility of various projects. In light of the budget ruling, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck is advocating for the maintenance of funding for economic projects, seeking collaboration with the federal states to find solutions.
Source: www.dpa.com
