Giffey: We need a conference of minister presidents
Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) is calling for a new meeting between the federal and state governments to discuss the Federal Constitutional Court's budget ruling. "We expect clarity quickly on how to proceed now," said Giffey on Monday after consultations between the economics and energy ministers of the federal and state governments in Berlin. "I have made it clear that three things are now necessary: Trust, reliability and completeness."
A conference of minister presidents was urgently and "promptly" needed to agree on how to proceed. "The federal and state governments will have to work together and across party lines to find solutions to the current serious and challenging situation." The next regular Minister Presidents' Conference with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not yet scheduled until June.
The goal of a decarbonized energy system and a climate-neutral economy by 2045 remains valid. "The necessary investments must be made," said the Senator for Economic Affairs.
Confidence in this is also crucial for Germany's international competitiveness and ability to innovate as a business location, said Giffey. "We therefore need reliable statements and a solution for the entire package."
Anyone who has already received a funding decision must be able to rely on it being valid. "The funds provided so far are needed to make the necessary investments for the future and to meet the requirements of the Federal Climate Protection Act."
Following the budget ruling, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to maintain the funding of economic projects worth billions. "There is a joint search to find ways now," said Habeck after the consultations on Monday.
The Federal Constitutional Court had declared a reallocation of 60 billion euros in the 2021 budget to be unconstitutional. The federal government is therefore not allowed to use funds intended to combat the coronavirus crisis for climate protection. This could have a major impact on the Climate and Transformation Fund. The fund is to be used, for example, to finance programs for more climate protection, for the establishment of future technologies and the development towards a climate-neutral economy.
The Federal Government and the Household could both be impacted by the budget ruling, as the Federal Constitutional Court declared a reallocation of funds intended for climate protection inappropriate. The Senate and the Household must work together with the Federal Government to ensure the validity of existing funding decisions for future investments.
Source: www.dpa.com
