09/23/2025September 23, 2025
Klingbeil defends budget plan against opposition criticism
has rejected opposition claims that his budget proposal plugs gaps instead of funding real investment.
Opposition parties have argued that the ruling coalition is using large loans to finance pet projects such as the parent pensions and restaurant tax breaks rather than driving economic expansion.
However, speaking in the budget debate, the SPD co-leader said special-fund spending would be aimed at securing jobs and boosting growth.
Klingbeil said the federal government would invest €126.7 billion (about $150 billion) next year from the core budget and debt-financed special funds in roads, rail, public transport, schools, kindergartens and hospitals.
“We all know that reforms are overdue, in bureaucracy, in the welfare state, in the economy,” said the minister, who is also the vice chancellor in the government led by . “Anyone who thinks we can simply carry on as before is mistaken.”
“With the investments from the special fund, we will not plug budget holes, but rather we will rehabilitate what has been neglected for years,” Klingbeil said.
“We are ensuring more growth, we are ensuring greater competitiveness, and above all, we are ensuring that jobs in this country are secure and that we create more employment,” he added.
The post Germany updates: Finance minister defends 2026 budget plans appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
