CDU Saar sees funding for green steel at risk
In view of new billion-euro gaps in the federal government's finances, the Saarland CDU believes that important funding for structural change in the Saarland is at risk. "It is now more uncertain than ever when the funding decision for the Saarland steel industry will be made and whether it will come in the volume requested," said CDU state chairman Stephan Toscani in Saarbrücken on Monday. There is also concern that federal funding for other Saar projects - such as the establishment of the chip factory of the US company Wolfspeed in Ensdorf - is at risk.
The background to this is the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court, according to which loans for corona aid may not be shifted to the climate fund. This will tear a 60 billion euro hole in the federal government's financial planning. The steel industry in the Saar region is still waiting for the urgently needed billion-euro funding commitment from the federal government for the conversion to the production of green steel.
Toscani, also chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the state parliament, also sees the ruling as "a slap in the face for the entire budget and financial policy of the SPD state government". It indicates that the SPD state government's transformation fund is unconstitutional. "Karlsruhe did far more than just reject the reallocation of coronavirus funds; it also made it very clear that emergency loans may not be set aside for future years."
Toscani called for "a speedy hearing" of legal experts in the state parliament's budget committee in order to clarify the effects of the ruling on Saarland. The CDU parliamentary group does not consider it responsible to pass a new budget before then.
Since April 2022, Saarland has been governed by an SPD all-party government led by Minister President Anke Rehlinger.
The CDU in Saarland fears that the funding for their proposed shift to green steel production in the Saarland steel industry could be affected by the financial challenges facing the federal government. Additionally, there's concern that federal funding for other Saarland projects, like the Wolfspeed chip factory, might also be at risk due to these financial issues.
Source: www.dpa.com
