No all-clear for projects after meeting with Habeck
Two microelectronics projects in Thuringia are still on the brink after a meeting of the state economics ministers in Berlin. "I can't give the all-clear for these two projects now," Thuringia's Economics Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD) told the German Press Agency after Monday's discussions. However, he was cautiously optimistic that they would succeed. So far, he said, only those projects that have received approval are certain. For the others - including the two Thuringian projects - solutions are needed "at lightning speed".
Tiefensee also called for the previously planned extension until the end of March for the energy price brakes - this is also currently under review. Thuringia is "in the convoy of all federal states that need these measures", he said with regard to support measures for SMEs or the expansion of hydrogen.
Reforming the debt brake
However, the path to financing the 60 billion euros missing following a constitutional court ruling has been mapped out, at least for 2023, he continued. In general, however, much more money is needed to compete with China or the USA, for example. He therefore advocated seizing the moment and fundamentally reforming the debt brake. "And when I hear how state premiers with CDU party membership are increasingly open to this, then it should be possible to do this."
Tiefensee also suggested a new special fund - similar to the one for the Bundeswehr. He was aware that this would require a two-thirds majority. "If anything, it will happen in this legislature," he said.
Habeck wants to continue funding
Following the budget ruling, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to continue funding 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 needs to find alternative funding sources for economic projects, as the Constitutional Court ruled against reallocating 60 billion euros from the coronavirus budget to climate protection. This could impact the Climate and Transformation Fund, which finances climate protection programs and the development towards a climate-neutral economy. In light of this situation, it's crucial for the Federal Government to reconsider its economic policy, including the debt brake, to secure adequate financial resources.
The Federal Government, led by Economics Minister Robert Habeck, is keen on continuing funding household-related climate protection projects, despite the budget ruling. This could involve reforming the debt brake or creating a new special fund, requiring a two-thirds majority, to raise additional funds.
Source: www.dpa.com
