Greens politician Franziska Brantner strongly criticized the governing coalition’s willingness to take on new debt. Speaking to “Welt” on Monday, she argued that the current administration has squandered vast sums of money, allegedly spending it on patronage projects instead of tackling necessary reforms and investing in the country’s essential infrastructure. “Honestly, this government has spent more money than any before, squandering it on patronage gifts, rather than addressing the reforms truly and investing intelligently in our infrastructure to fix this country” she stated. “We cannot afford another point of debt buildup; the funds must now be spent properly”.
Brantner objected that money is being allocated for “some kind of consumptive expenses” arguing that the focus should instead be on renovating and improving schools, roads, and railways. She cited economic experts who have calculated that the funds are not actually reaching their intended recipients because the government is spending them on unnecessary projects, such as train stations. In her view, considering new debt under these circumstances is profoundly irresponsible.
Brantner also personally criticized CDU politician Friedrich Merz, asserting that while he had promised reforms and garnered business confidence, he lacked the capability and courage to follow through. “He has the confidence, he promised reforms, but he cannot do it-not functionally. He doesn’t have the courage” the Greens politician argued. “But he also seems to lack the ideas, only criticizing the country constantly”.
She summarized the administration’s overall approach as “irresponsible” claiming that the different parties are completely blocking each other. According to Brantner, both sides only seek to defend the status quo and the past, rather than finally engaging in the reforms the country urgently needs. Her comments came in response to SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch, who had suggested taking on new debt to cover the alleged follow-up costs of the Iraq war.
