Mützenich reserves the right to make an exception to the debt brake - "tricks" in the budget
The household agreement, reached by Olaf Scholz, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) in the night, adheres to the provisions of the debt brake. A so-called emergency decree is possible under certain conditions according to Article 115 of the Basic Law, for example in cases of natural disasters or exceptional emergency situations.
The FDP sees differently than Mützenich and does not see room for an exception to the debt brake. The debt brake will be "fully adhered to", said FDP fraction leader Christian Dürr after a digital fraction meeting with Finance Minister Lindner. This is the position of our fraction. With the agreement and the measures agreed upon to strengthen growth, a "turnaround" will be initiated.
From FDP fraction circles it was reported to the news agency AFP: "The absurd and unconstitutional demands of the SPD and Greens for a suspension of the debt brake have been cleared away." The budget is "constitutionally compliant."
Mützenich highlighted some details of the agreement to journalists: Child benefit should be increased, the child supplement should be larger than planned. Rent assistance is secured, the Rentenpaket II should still come this year. In the defense budget, the two percent target will be met.
Green fraction leader Britta Haßelmann said that the planned budget is "good for families in the country" and for children. However, after a special session of the fraction, her co-chair Katharina Droege expressed regret that there were no talks about a reform of the debt brake. In addition, she admitted that she would have wished for more money for the budget of the Development Aid Ministry.
- Rolf Mützenich, a prominent figure in the SPD, voiced concerns about the agreement's impact on the debt brake.
- Despite Mützenich's objections, Christian Lindner and his FDP fraction firmly stand by the debt brake, as indicated by Christian Dürr.
- The agreement includes measures aimed at boosting growth, a move that, according to the FDP, does not necessitate an exception to the strict debt brake principles.
- The budget, according to FDP fraction circles, adheres to constitutional requirements, as they view the supposed SPD and Greens' demands for a debt brake suspension as "absurd" and "unconstitutional."
- Olaf Scholz, as Finance Minister, played a key role in negotiating the household agreement, which aligns with the debt brake's principles.
- The FDP's position on the debt brake has caused a rift within the governing coalition, with Mützenich and the SPD expressing disagreement.
- The debate surrounding the budget and the debt brake has reached the heart of Berlin, where the future of the coalition leadership and fiscal policy is being scrutinized.
- The budget agreement includes provisions for increased child benefit and rent assistance, which the Greens' Britta Haßelmann applauds as beneficial for families and children, but she regrets the absence of discussions on reforming the debt brake.
