NRW minister expects crisis meeting to close ranks
The energy and economy ministers of the federal states want to discuss the effects of the budget crisis with Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) on Monday morning (8 a.m.). According to NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens), the special meeting in Berlin will discuss the consequences of the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on federal finances. The court had declared the transfer of corona billions to the federal climate and transformation fund inadmissible. This means that this fund lacks 60 billion euros in loans.
"The decision is so far-reaching that we cannot yet see all the consequences, neither at federal level nor for NRW. What is clear is that they are massive," she said in advance. There is a lack of money for investment in a sustainable economy and modern infrastructure. It was necessary to discuss how urgently needed subsidies could be financed in order to support investments in industry, stabilize the economy and secure jobs. Now is the time to work together in alliances across party lines. The CDU and FDP in the federal government should also make a note of this.
Another consequence of the ruling was announced on Friday: The state gas and electricity price brakes will be discontinued at the end of the year. The economic stabilization fund will be closed at the end of December, said Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) on Deutschlandfunk radio. "This means that no more payments will be made from it next year. Electricity and gas price brakes will expire. These will also have to be terminated on December 31," he added.
The Federal Government might need to provide additional funding to compensate for the lost 60 billion euros from the federal climate and transformation fund, as household expenses could be influenced by the potential increase in energy prices without the price brakes. The Household sector and various industries in the federal states heavily rely on the stability of the economy, which is now under threat due to the ruling.
Source: www.dpa.com
