Epidemic outbreak - In 2024, 44 million euros were taken from special assets.
In Saxony-Anhalt, roughly 7% of the allocated funds designated for protecting against the Corona virus in 2024 have been utilized. According to Finance Minister Michael Richter (CDU), as reported by German Press Agency, "There's a considerable amount of money within the system. We also need to determine how much of it we can put into action." By May's end, just 44 million euros out of 638 million euros had been expended. This isn't sufficient.
The funds were established to alleviate the impact of the pandemic in the long run and introduce safeguards for the future. "It's not only about the pandemic's aftermath, but also about making the country pandemic-proof," Richter shared. The state government intends to invest in technology for schools and universities, hospitals, and promote digitalization.
Originally, a Corona special fund of approximately €1.9 billion was set up in 2021. Unfortunately, the funds must now be appropriated annually in several installments, as a result of a court ruling. In 2022, over €600 million euros, financed through debt despite budgetary constraints for emergencies.
The black-red-yellow alliance also intends to undertake projects through this fund in 2023. "We're actively using the special fund," stated FDP parliamentary group leader Andreas Silbersack. However, future allotments will be conditional upon actual need.
Pähle, from the SPD parliamentary group, pointed out that although little money has been expended from the special fund this year, a substantial portion of the spending is already tied up by existing contracts and grant notices. "There are numerous major infrastructure undertakings in the works, which cannot be commenced all at once," Pähle said. As a result, the special fund has been designed to last longer. "It's not just about the outflow of funds, but also the number of regulations drawn up and notices of grant issued."
