Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – CDU parliamentary group leader Manuel Hagel sees the multi-billion dollar budget requests of the green-black department heads. “If I ask my son at the age of four to write everything on a wish list, then there is always something more on it than what he actually gets,” said Hagel of the German Press Agency in Stuttgart. “It’s a little bit here too.” The beginning of a budget consultation is never the final result of the state budget. “That’s why the draft will not be the one that ultimately goes to parliament.”
Despite the difficult budgetary situation, the Greens and CDU ministries have announced additional expenditure of 7.75 billion euros and almost 9,000 new jobs. Finance Minister Danyal Bayaz sees the corridor at just under 400 million euros. The Green politician fears that the impending energy crisis could cause tax revenue to collapse in the fall and urges moderation.
He doesn’t blame anyone, said Hagel in the direction of the cabinet. “If I ask a minister: What do you need in your house? Then they work with great diligence and creativity.” The lists of the ministries still contain a few things that are desirable but not absolutely necessary. “We’re not at make-a-wish. That first serve is the make-a-wish,” remarked Hagel. You have to be sensible and invest wisely. “The Budget Commission is therefore the vehicle that separates what is desirable from what is necessary.”
The leaders of the green-black coalition wanted to meet on Tuesday afternoon to negotiate the 2023/2024 double budget. Hagel called for moderation: “If you look at the debt and the expenses, then a state that promises to put together an all-round carefree package for everyone will not be able to be financed in the long run.”