FDP opposition demands clear commitment to the debt brake
The FDP opposition in the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament has demanded a clear commitment to the debt brake from the black-green state government. "The debt brake is the best brake on inflation and is therefore good for our state," said FDP finance expert Ralf Witzel in the state parliament's budget debate on Wednesday. It is about trust in the location and, above all, about the young generation, "to whom we must not leave ever-increasing mountains of debt".
Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (CDU) must clearly state that the state government will adhere to the debt brake in 2024 and will neither soften nor suspend it. "Now comes the litmus test of your credibility," said Witzel.
During the debate, Optendrenk promised a budget policy that complies with the constitution. Therefore, the credit-financed special fund of five billion euros to deal with the consequences of the war in Ukraine will end on December 31 of this year.
The NRW draft budget for 2024 provides for a return to the debt brake. Previously, the ban on net new borrowing had been suspended several times due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The opposition SPD accused the state government of hiding behind the debt brake. However, the state government could use a cyclical borrowing option of at least 800 million euros in 2024 within the debt brake, said SPD finance politician Alexander Baer. This was also recommended by the German Economic Institute (IW) in a statement on the draft budget.
The FDP's call for a commitment to the debt brake extends beyond the state parliament, as they advocate for this financial principle to be upheld in all household budgets for long-term financial stability. The debt brake, viewed as an effective tool against inflation, should also be a guiding principle in managing national finances.
Source: www.dpa.com
