Federal Court of Auditors President Kay Scheller has warned the federal government that it is effectively turning the country into a “gigantic shifting station”. He told the news magazine “Focus” that the usual political reflex is, unfortunately, “I have financing gaps-even for trivial consumer expenditures-and therefore I must find money, rather than consider re‑prioritising the budget”.
Scheller says policymakers should expect that the roughly €500 billion special fund will immediately become this shifting station for both the federal government and the states. The original intent, he points out, was quite different: the fund was meant primarily for additional investments. “If that is now being ignored, it is truly regrettable” he added.
Whether this use of the fund is constitutionally permissible is something that “the Federal Constitutional Court may have to decide at some point”. He noted that his office has always warned before such actions – for example, the climate fund. In addition, Scheller cautioned that federal debt is projected to rise to €2.7 trillion by 2029. “We haven’t even discussed the debt of states and municipalities yet; that adds another €800 billion” he said.
These numbers represent “the facts – and only if no further crises arise”. The debt will be financed with loans whose interest rates have recently spiked. Scheller urged politicians that “we simply can no longer afford the old promises”.
