EU corona fund: Germany to receive four billion euros
Germany is to receive around four billion euros from the European Corona Fund. This was announced by the EU Commission. The funds could flow this year - provided that the finance ministers of the member states approve the disbursement at their next meeting on December 8.
The German government applied for the 3.97 billion euros from the Corona Fund in September. These are grants that do not have to be repaid. Among other things, they are intended for the promotion of electric cars and for the digitalization of public administration and the railroads. Germany had previously only received an advance of 2.25 billion euros from the pot in August 2021.
In mid-November, the EU Commission had already approved the German government's revised coronavirus recovery plan, which forms the framework for the aid. It provides for a total of up to 28 billion euros in grants for Germany. Half of this - i.e. 14 billion euros - could flow next year if the traffic light coalition applies for the funds and meets the Brussels conditions for use.
Following the ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court in mid-November, the German government could be more reliant on EU aid. However, the first tranche of four billion euros has already been factored into the federal budget. Karlsruhe had ruled that the coalition government could not reallocate 60 billion euros in unused funds for the fight against coronavirus for climate purposes.
The EU is using the coronavirus fund to support billions in investments in future technologies to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic. Originally, 750 billion euros were budgeted for all member states; in today's prices, this amounts to more than 800 billion euros.
Germany must utilize the four billion Euros from the EU Corona Fund for promoting electric cars and digitalizing public administration and railroads, as per the approved revised coronavirus recovery plan. This disbursement of funds is contingent on the approval of the finance ministers of EU member states at their December 8 meeting.
Source: www.ntv.de
