household - Bundeshaushalt looks like a "very bitter pill for NRW" to her
As a "disappointment for North Rhine-Westphalia," Minister-President Hendrik Wüst of Nordrhin-Westfalen sees the budget proposal of the Federal Government. "Whether in the solution for public debt, the securing of our energy supply or the stimulation of our economy: the Federal Government is leaving Nordrhin-Westfalia behind," said the CDU politician to the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf. "Thus, it is restricting the actionability of many municipalities and endangering the future of Germany's economic location as a whole."
The budget, which was approved by the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday, is a "bitter pill" for the municipalities in NRW. The Bund is breaking its word regarding the promised participation in the public debt relief.
"As a state government, we have taken the initiative to prepare the way for a quick solution," said Wüst. In the traffic light factions of the Federal Government, the NRW initiative has also received much approval. However, a participation of the Federal Government in a public debt relief for the municipalities is not yet provided for in the Federal budget planning.
"Apparently, the leading figures in the traffic light government are not willing to take on their part of the responsibility and to organize a majority in the Federal Government and the Bundestag for the necessary relief for cities and municipalities," concluded Wüst. "We will not give up hope: The Federal Government still has all the chances to leave this wrong path." The black-green state government is counting on the upcoming parliamentary consultation in the Bundestag.
The state government had announced in June that it would invest 200 million euros of state money in a public debt regulation in 2025 and declared its readiness to relieve heavily indebted municipalities with a total of 7.5 billion euros over the next 30 years. At the same time, Wüst emphasized that such a solution could only be achieved together with the Federal Government and the municipalities.
Future potential from NRW's perspective: "Missing entry"
The budget proposal approved by the Federal Cabinet also misses important switches for industrial NRW, complained Wüst. "Additional funds for the urgently needed expansion of power plant capacities: missing entry," he noted. "Money for a reduction of network fees: missing entry." Thus, a secure and competitive energy supply for the domestic industry in NRW remains in the distant future.
The Federal Government plans to spend more than 480 billion euros next year, more than ten percent of which will be on credit. (Source: German Press Agency)
- Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, from the CDU party in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), expressed disappointment with the Federal Government's budget proposal, stating it leaves NRW behind in several areas.
- Wüst mentioned the Federal Government's approach to public debt, energy supply, and economic stimulation as areas where NRW is being left behind by the proposed budget.
- The budget, which was approved by the Federal Cabinet, is a significant challenge for municipalities in NRW, as the Bund (Federal Government) is not fulfilling its promise to participate in public debt relief.
- Wüst stated that as a state government, they had taken the initiative to prepare a quick solution for the public debt issue, but this is not yet included in the Federal budget planning.
- The NRW initiative has received approval from the traffic light factions in the Federal Government, but a participation of the Federal Government in a public debt relief for the municipalities is still not provisioned in the budget planning.
- Wüst noted that it appears the leading figures in the traffic light government are not willing to assume their share of responsibility and organize the necessary majority in the Federal Government and the Bundestag for relief for cities and municipalities.
- The black-green state government in NRW is hopeful that the Federal Government will change its course during the upcoming parliamentary consultation in the Bundestag.
- Wüst also highlighted that the budget proposal overlooks important opportunities for industrial growth in NRW, such as funding for the expansion of power plant capacities and a reduction of network fees.
