Household cleaning - Demand for improvements to the defense budget
After the coalition leaders' agreement on the 2025 federal budget, there are widespread concerns about the financing of the Bundeswehr. Both from the Union and the SPD, there are demands for improvements. "We won't be battle-ready with that," commented President of the Reservists' Association, Patrick Sensburg, on the insignificant increase of the Defense Ministry budget by 1.2 billion Euro next year. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had requested an additional need of 6.5 to 7 billion Euro. It remains unclear, however, how the Bundeswehr will be financed beyond 2025.
Disappointing improvements to the defense budget
SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz spoke of a "disappointing number" in response to the small increase from the internal budget negotiations. "The result of the government's budget talks does not meet what we need in the defense sector," Schwarz told the "Tagesspiegel." Now, parliamentarians "have the task of making significant improvements in the parliamentary procedure," said Schwarz to the "Tagesspiegel." After the cabinet decision on the budget for 2025, which is scheduled for July 17, the Bundestag will deal with it for the first time in September. The usual parliamentary approval is scheduled for November/December.
Significant improvements to the defense budget are also demanded by the Union. "What we need now are quick reprioritizations in the budget that enable a sustained and increased defense budget," said CDU security expert Roderich Kiesewetter to the "Augsburger Allgemeinen."
Long-term financing of the Bundeswehr beyond 2025 could also lead to heated debates. Chancellor Scholz had spoken of a regular defense budget of 80 billion Euro from 2028 onwards, after the special fund has been completely exhausted. Vice Chancellor Habeck made the dimensions of the challenge clear in the ARD "Tagesthemen."
"We'll just make it through in 2025. After that, it will get tighter," said Habeck. The counterfinancing after the expiration of the 100 billion Euro Bundeswehr special fund has not been found yet. "That is significantly higher than our problem of the last few days or nights," emphasized the Green politician. "I don't want Germany to save on education, research, culture, or social benefits because of the defense capability of the Federal Republic."
Habeck: No further debates on budget crisis
Habeck: No more debates on budget crisis.
Scholz, Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) found an agreement on the German budget for 2025 in the early hours of Friday after weeks of fierce negotiations. The debt brake will be maintained, a fiscal crisis due to military and humanitarian support for Ukraine was not declared - this was important for the FDP. Habeck also ruled out further discussions on this matter. "This is it - this debate is over. I wouldn't reopen it again. I believe this debate is settled," said the Green politician. One should now focus on the budget draft. In general, Habeck spoke of a "very, very good package."
Juso chairman Philipp Türmer sees it differently. "Many financial loopholes are now being used, which the Finance Minister had previously ruled out," Türmer told web.de. Much of it is based on projections. In case of strained global situations or crises, the budget could easily tip into deficit. "Therefore, the suspension of the debt brake remains the more sustainable option," Türmer argued. He even advocated for its removal from the Basic Law.
The DGB sees light and shadow
Trade unions and social organizations reacted dividedly to the budget compromise. DGB chairman Yasmin Fahimi evaluated it as a "good sign" that larger cuts and social austerity measures seemed to be avoided. The labor policy proposals in total were considered the wrong signal by the unions. Clearer signals for more childcare and caregiving were needed for the mobilization of skilled labor. The tax advantages for overtime and foreign skilled labor also contained social tinder, warned the DGB chairman.
The chairwoman of the Social Welfare Association Germany (SoVD), Michaela Engelmeier, highlighted in the Funke Media Group newspapers that it seemed to have succeeded in preventing "another social decline in crucial areas." However, she also criticized that "the major distributional questions with this coalition can no longer be solved, because one cannot agree on the necessary bold tax reform."
The Union keeps the option of an early election on the table
The Union sees no signal of stability in the traffic light coalition. "It could be that we have to come back to Berlin soon," Union faction leader Friedrich Merz told the "Rheinische Post." "The traffic light coalition is not as stable as it can be relied upon to last through the summer," added the CDU chairman. The Union could also very quickly pass a campaign program. CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt emphasized in the same newspaper: "Whether this budget fragment survives or only serves as a fuse for the next explosive dispute in the traffic light coalition remains to be seen."
Vice Chancellor Habeck referred to the willingness of the traffic light coalition leaders for the agreement to the international environment. "It can be harsh and rough, that's also happened," said the Economics Minister about the talks with Scholz and Lindner. Helped was the look from outside. Habeck referred to the complicated government formation in France, the upcoming US presidential election, and the Ukraine war. "The world doesn't revolve around our small financial gap. We have to pull together. We have to close ranks."
- The FDP, a part of the coalition leadership, has expressed concern about the defense budget, emphasizing the need for adequate funding for the German Armed Forces.
- One of the criticisms directed at the defense budget increase is its insignificance, with Patrick Sensburg, from the Reservists' Association, stating, "We won't be battle-ready with that."
- The Daily Mirror reported on the Household budget, highlighting the demands for substantial improvements to the Defense Ministry's budget by both the SPD and the Union.
- The German Armed Forces are facing long-term financing challenges beyond 2025, with chancellor Scholz proposing a regular defense budget of 80 billion Euro from 2028 onwards.
- Boris Pistorius, the Defense Minister, had requested an additional need of 6.5 to 7 billion Euro, which remains unmet in the proposed budget.
- The Bundestag, the German parliament, will first discuss the budget for 2025 in September, followed by the usual parliamentary approval in November/December.
- Christian Lindner, the FDP finance minister, played a crucial role in the coalition agreement, ensuring that the debt brake would be maintained and a budget crisis due to military aid to Ukraine was not declared.
- Andreas Schwarz, an SPD budget expert, described the small increase as "disappointing," urging parliamentarians to make significant improvements during the parliamentary procedure.
- The DGB, a German trade union confederation, saw both light and shadow in the budget compromise, with Yasmin Fahimi praising the avoidance of large cuts but criticizing the lack of ambitious tax reform.
- The FDP remains divided on the issue, with Philipp Türmer advocating for the suspension or removal of the debt brake, while the CDU keeps the option of an early election on the table due to the perceived instability of the traffic light coalition.
- The contradictory viewpoints on the budget compromise were reflected in the Editorial network Germany, with Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU demanding significant improvements to the defense budget and Bundestag member Boris Pistorius expressing satisfaction with the overall budget package.
