Federal Armed Forces - Lindner opposes Pistorius in defense budget discussion
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner defended his course on defense spending for the Bundeswehr in a budget tug-of-war. "We have achieved the two-percent NATO target for the first time in many, many years," Lindner stated in an interview with ARD-"Hauptstadtstudio". We spend more than France and Italy. In the coming years, at least two percent of the economic output will still be made available for security. "It's not the case that everything the Defense Minister says is automatically justified and correct," Lindner emphasized, adding that it's about tax money and the efficiency of budget allocation.
Defense expenditures of around 52 billion Euro
In the opinion of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), the budgeted funds for the coming year are too low, considering the international security situation and potential threats to Germany. The budget draft approved by the Federal Cabinet calls for the defense budget to grow from its current 52 billion Euro to 53.25 billion Euro. Pistorius had demanded more.
"We need to have a fundamental discussion in the Federal Government about how we want to ensure our security," SPD politician Pistorius told the "Tagesspiegel" a few days ago. "I continue to advocate that the Bundeswehr gets the money it needs, given the all-too-real threat from Russia. The next opportunity for this is the parliamentary proceedings." The Bundestag will begin deliberations on the budget draft after the summer break, with a planned decision at the end of the year.
Lindner spoke in the "Ask Yourself" format, where viewers can submit online questions before the regular ARD "Summer Interview" on Sunday. What numbers Pistorius could present, for example, what specifically he needs for higher operating costs, was also granted to him beyond the financial planning, Lindner emphasized. In the Summer Interview itself, he said about the topic: "Mr. Pistorius has a 100-billion-Euro special program for the strengthening of the armed forces, which none of his predecessors had. With that, one can work, and one must also earn."
- Despite the budget tug-of-war, the Federal Government of Germany, led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, has reached the NATO target of 2% defense spending for the first time in decades.
- The Defense Budget for the Federal Armed Forces in Germany is currently around 52 billion Euro, but Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) argues that it's insufficient given the international security situation.
- Pistorius mentioned the potential threats to Germany, specifically from Russia, as a reason for the need for more funds for the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces.
- Lindner, in an interview with ARD-"Hauptstadtstudio", pointed out that Germany spends more on defense than France and Italy.
- According to Lindner, it's crucial to ensure the efficiency of budget allocation, as it involves tax money, and not every statement made by the Defense Minister is automatically justified.
- The SPD politician advocates for a comprehensive discussion in the Federal Government about how to secure Germany's safety, emphasizing the necessity of adequate funding for the Bundeswehr.
- The discussion on defense spending will continue in the German Parliament after the summer break, where a decision on the budget draft is expected at the end of the year.
- Pistorius has a 100-billion-Euro special program for strengthening the armed forces, which previous Defense Ministers did not have, according to Christian Lindner.
- Italy, as a NATO member, is also involved in the defense discussions, which showcases the international cooperation and collective security efforts in the organization.
