The slight upward revision of tax revenue forecasts has prompted a sharp warning from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, cautioning against any relaxation of efforts towards fiscal reform and austerity measures. While acknowledging the positive signal of increased tax intake, CDU/CSU parliamentary group vice-chair Mathias Middelberg emphasized that this development should not equate to complacency.
“The modestly rising tax revenues confirm our policies, but that does not provide a license to ease up” Middelberg stated in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. He highlighted the continued precariousness of the national budget, noting that the projected deficits for 2026 and 2027 remain substantial, albeit marginally smaller than previously estimated.
The CDU politician underscored the impending difficulties ahead, suggesting the situation will worsen considerably beyond current projections. This necessitates the urgent implementation of structural reforms, a point Middelberg reiterated as paramount.
His comments reflect a growing concern within the conservative camp regarding the government’s long-term fiscal strategy. While the current positive revenue figures offer a brief respite, critics argue they mask underlying systemic vulnerabilities and a lack of decisive action on necessary structural adjustments. The CDU’s insistence on continued austerity measures and structural reforms signals a potential clash with governing parties potentially prioritizing alternative spending priorities, raising questions about the government’s ability to sustainably manage the national debt and future economic challenges. The current focus on identifying savings proposals, while seen positively by the CDU, also suggests a degree of disagreement on how to address the fundamental issues impacting Germany’s fiscal stability.
