Budget 2024 - Budget not discussed in regular cabinet meeting
The German government continues to struggle over the budget for the coming year on Wednesday. The round of negotiations between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has not yet reached an agreement. However, according to dpa information, the talks should continue on Wednesday.
Green Party Chairwoman Ricarda Lang said in an interview with BR on Wednesday morning: "I do not assume that a new draft budget will be approved by the cabinet today, but that a political decision will follow very soon." A cabinet referral on Wednesday had been targeted, at least internally, by the traffic light coalition in order to adopt the budget before the end of the year. However, it is also possible for a decision to be made by so-called circulation procedure, i.e. in writing.
In this case, the Budget Committee and then the Bundestag would deliberate first, the latter probably in a special budget week directly before Christmas. The Bundesrat could approve the plans on December 22.
Lindner puts the gap in the budget for the coming year at 17 billion euros. Among other things, this is due to the Karlsruhe budget ruling and the impact on various credit-financed special funds. Savings in various areas are now being discussed, as is the renewed suspension of the debt brake for 2024.
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- Despite the ongoing coalition efforts, the German Federal Government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), has yet to agree on the budget for 2024 during their regular cabinet meeting.
- Green Party Chairwoman Ricarda Lang, in an interview with BR, expressed her doubt that a new draft budget would be approved during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, but expected a political decision to follow shortly.
- The targeted cabinet referral on Wednesday aimed to adopt the budget before the end of the year, but a decision could also be made through a circulation procedure, which involves the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
- The Bundestag would likely hold a special budget week directly before Christmas, while the Bundesrat could approve the plans on December 22.
- Finance Minister Lindner cited a budget gap of 17 billion euros for the coming year, attributed to factors such as the Karlsruhe budget ruling and the impact on various credit-financed special funds.
- Negotiations are now underway to find savings in various areas and discuss the renewed suspension of the debt brake for 2024.
- These budget discussions and potential decision-making processes are vital for the forthcoming year in Germany, involving key members of the Coalition, such as SPD, Greens, and FDP, and Federal Government figures like Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, and Christian Lindner.
Source: www.stern.de
