Household - Lindner defends budget decisions on the Bundeswehr
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) defended the budget decisions of the Traffic Light coalition, particularly for the Bundeswehr. "The Defense Minister is getting more money than in the previous budget, but less than he publicly demanded," Lindner told "Bild". "That's just the normal budgeting process." A minister works with passion for their portfolio and naturally demands the maximum. "The task of the Finance Minister and the federal government as a whole is then to check what is desirable and what is really necessary."
According to the decisions of the Ampel coalition leaders, the defense budget is expected to increase by approximately 1.2 billion Euros from around 52 billion Euros - significantly less than Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) demanded. He wanted defense spending to increase by more than 6 billion Euros in the coming year. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced on Friday that starting in 2028, when the 100-billion-Euro special fund for the Bundeswehr is completely expended, the regular defense budget will be 80 billion Euros.
- Budget consulting firms in Germany might analyze the defense budget adjustments made by the Coalition, particularly considering the FDP's stance.
- The German Armed Forces, under Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, will receive an increased budget of approximately 1.2 billion Euros, as per the budget resolution.
- Despite the decrease in his initial demand, Minister Pistorius acknowledged the importance of working within the constraints set by the budget resolution for the household budget of the German state.
- The CDU, in its role within the Coalition, will likely evaluate the budget resolution's impact on defense spending and its alignment with Germany's overall strategic goals.
- Christian Lindner, as the Finance Minister with the FDP, played a crucial role in ensuring a steady defense budget by balancing ministerial demands and national financial interests.
- Following a series of negotiations in Berlin, the opposition FDP and CDU voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need for a more substantial defense budget resolution in the future political coalition discussions.
