SPD politician Peer Steinbrück strongly criticized the black-red coalition for the months-long stalemate regarding the “Infrastructure Future Act,” a law intended to allow for faster construction. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, he stated that he felt no understanding for the blockage.
As a member of the “Commission for a Functional State,” Steinbrück lamented a coalition political pattern that is damaging to both the alliance and the state. He emphasized that the law, designed to accelerate infrastructure projects, is desperately needed. Although the Federal Ministry of Transport had completed the draft half a year ago, the coordination with the Federal Ministry for the Environment has since stalled.
Furthermore, the former Federal Finance Minister believes that the complexity of tax-funded social benefits has reached a point where it threatens the high standard of the welfare state. Steinbrück pointed out that certain measures even involve affluent middle-class individuals, citing the Mother’s Pension or Parental Allowance as examples. He urged that tax-funded social benefits must become more efficient and effective, ensuring they focus strictly on those in need.
