Finance Minister says Germany must solve spending problem | – #Finance #Minister #Germany #solve #spending #problem
BERLIN, March 12 (Reuters) – German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Sunday he wanted to address spending in the 2024 budget to fix the country’s structural deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and energy crisis.
Lindner said he informed Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday that he would not be able to present the cornerstones of the 2024 budget at an upcoming cabinet meeting this week because there was not yet enough agreement on it.
“We have a big cost problem,” he told ARD TV on Sunday. “We need to consolidate,” he said, adding that higher debt and taxes are not a viable option.
Pro-business, according to an exchange of letters seen by Reuters Free Democrats Lindner and Greens Economy Minister Robert Habeck clashed last month over next year’s budget plans.
Echoing the concerns of some Greens that there won’t be enough funds for some of their planned projects, Habeck took issue with Lindner’s proposals, especially as the government adheres to strict debt rules.
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Habeck Lindner unilaterally in some areas, including the armed forces and for the gastronomy sector tax urging them not to prioritize their cuts, saying that they cannot accept the budget plans of their party.
Lindner bluntly rejected Habeck.
On Sunday, he said the coalition was not blocked but was in a difficult position.
His ministry recently said that despite rising tensions, the draft budget should be ready by June.
Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Written by Sarah Marsh, edited by William Maclean
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2023-03-13 03:06:40
Source – reuters
Translation“24 HOURS”