The debate surrounding the German government’s budgetary policies has intensified, with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) firmly rejecting criticism leveled by the Green Party. SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf defended the government’s investment strategy, highlighting a commitment of over €115 billion, representing a 55% increase from the previous year. He characterized this as a record level of investment crucial for the nation and indicated a commitment to maintaining this standard in future years.
Klüssendorf underscored the widespread need for investment, referencing the deterioration of infrastructure such as roads and bridges and the pressing need for modernization in schools and childcare facilities. He suggested the accumulated backlog in these areas represents a significant societal debt that the current coalition is working to systematically address. He asserted that such a comprehensive effort would not have been possible without the involvement of the SPD.
The Green Party has accused the black-red coalition, particularly Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), of allocating only a limited portion of the substantial €500 billion infrastructure special fund toward new investments. Green Party parliamentary representatives claimed the government was employing accounting maneuvers between the core budget and the special fund, ultimately generating no additional value for urgently needed investments within Germany. The Green Party had previously insisted on the principle of “additionality” during the fund’s establishment in March, aiming to guarantee that loans were directed towards supplementary investments.
Klüssendorf refuted these accusations, asserting that the Green Party’s arguments lack factual basis and that the investment ratio within the budget remains above 10%, aligning with the agreement reached with the Greens regarding the special fund. He characterized the Green Party’s critiques as a standard practice of opposition politics.
Despite the ongoing disagreements, Klüssendorf appealed to the Green Party – a former coalition partner – to avoid obstructing progress on critical challenges and to recognize the positive impact of the special fund, developed with their input, in revitalizing national infrastructure.
