SPD parliamentary group deputy calls for new special climate fund
The German government lacks 60 billion euros because, in the view of the Constitutional Court, it has circumvented the Basic Law. The SPD parliamentary group deputy leader, Miersch, is proposing to incur debt for climate protection in the same way as for the Bundeswehr. SPD General Secretary Kühnert wants to suspend the debt brake.
The traffic light coalition continues to discuss how to deal with the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on the budget. A new initiative has now come from the deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, Matthias Miersch. On the ntv program "Frühstart", he spoke out in favour of creating a new special fund to replace the money from the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF). This pot of money could be structured in a similar way to the special fund for the German armed forces, said Miersch. He named 60 billion euros as an order of magnitude - i.e. the sum that is missing due to the court ruling.
The SPD politician said that the money from the climate and transformation fund was necessary to achieve the restructuring of industry, climate protection and social cohesion. "That is why we must all have an interest in actually implementing the constitutional court ruling now, but not neglecting investments in the future." This is also a form of intergenerational justice - after all, two years ago the Constitutional Court also instructed legislators to place climate protection at the top of the agenda. In addition, energy prices must be secured for citizens.
A new special fund would require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat, i.e. the approval of the CDU/CSU. As the opposition, the CDU and CSU have a huge responsibility and, due to the court decision in the federal states, have similar problems to the traffic light system in the federal government, said Miersch. In addition, the CDU/CSU also had an interest in transforming the industry. "In this respect, I hope that Mr. Merz and others will now embark on a constructive path."
"The Federal Chancellor will lead"
The SPD politician also reiterated his call to discuss the renewed suspension of the debt brake. This could be an element to generate funds. Miersch also welcomed the Ministry of Finance's decision to impose a budget freeze on all further expenditure. After the constitutional court ruling on Wednesday, the federal government must assess the situation and analyze it calmly, he said. "And then we must actually tackle this challenge as part of an overall package." This will succeed if all the coalition partners work together sensibly. "That's what I expect now and the Federal Chancellor will now take the lead."
"The BMF is stopping the commitment appropriations in 2023 in order to avoid advance payments for future years," said Finance Ministry circles on Monday evening. "Existing liabilities will continue to be honored, but no new ones may be entered into," they said.
Despite the turbulence surrounding the ruling, Miersch does not expect a premature end to the traffic light coalition. Whether the alliance lasts is a question of political responsibility and he expects all those involved to live up to their responsibilities. "In this respect, I don't think much of talking about breaking up the coalition at this stage." The traffic light coalition has weathered the last one and a half years of major crises well. This is a basis "that gives me hope that we can manage it."
Kühnert calls for the debt brake to be suspended
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert had previously called for the debt brake to be suspended. With regard to declaring a so-called budget emergency, he said on ARD television: "If the SPD were governing alone, then that would certainly be something we would do, and not out of trickery, but because the emergency is objectively given." This would be discussed in the coalition. But there are also other options.
According to the law, the government can declare an emergency and suspend the debt brake if it finds itself in a crisis through no fault of its own. "I can only say on behalf of the SPD that simply cutting 60 billion somewhere in the budget with a lawnmower, making social cuts, reversing the transformation of our society, no longer supporting companies in international competition and thus losing jobs in Germany, that is something the SPD was not elected for in 2021," he explained. "And we will never raise our hand for that in the German Bundestag." Other sources of income must now be found in order not to fall behind in international competition.
Kühnert also made it clear that the state will continue to pay for current services despite the budget freeze. The step taken by the Federal Ministry of Finance does not mean that the state is no longer allowed to spend money. The freeze on so-called commitment appropriations means that no payment obligations are possible for the future. However, the state can cover all of its current payments.
The Federal Government's proposed solution for the 60 billion euro gap due to the Constitutional Court ruling is a topic of discussion within the traffic light coalition. SPD parliamentary group deputy leader Matthias Miersch proposes creating a new special climate fund, drawing parallels to the existing military fund. The CDU/CSU, as the opposition, will need to approve the two-thirds majority required for this new fund.
Olaf Scholz, as the Federal Chancellor, plays a key role in guiding the coalition partners through this challenge. Kevin Kühnert, SPD General Secretary, supports Miersch's initiative and advocates for suspending the debt brake, arguing that cutting 60 billion euros from the budget through social cuts and industry transformation would not align with the SPD's 2021 election mandate.
The traffic light coalition's resilience in tackling major crises is underscored by Miersch, who expresses optimism in its ability to manage the aftermath of the Constitutional Court ruling. Despite the Budget Ministry's decision to freeze future expenditure commitments, Kühnert assures that the state will continue to meet its current financial obligations.
Source: www.ntv.de
