(de-news.net) – In response to criticism from the opposition, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended the coalition’s financial planning during the Bundestag’s budget discussion. He claimed that the government aimed to boost investment and economic growth in order to raise Germany’s competitiveness and increase the standard of living for its population. Citing weak economic performance as the rationale for significant policy changes, he reaffirmed the need to modify the next federal budget.
Merz stressed that the suggested modifications were meant to maintain the welfare state’s sustainability rather than to destroy it. He maintained that the government could only carry out its social obligations through change. Merz reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stimulating economic growth and attracting investment and reiterated his support for the proposed fiscal reforms slated for the upcoming year, emphasizing their necessity in light of the current economic stagnation. The measures to be proposed, he argued, are essential to reinforcing Germany’s global competitiveness and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
On the other hand, SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil has emphasized that any cuts must be accompanied by higher payments from wealthy and high-income individuals, which sparked opposition to the proposed social spending cuts from both the coalition and opposition parties. Tino Chrupalla, the leader of the AfD, to date the biggest opposition party, started the conversation by accusing the government of carelessly squandering the capital of future generations.
Merz said he was certain the administration would make firm choices on reforming state structures and boosting competitiveness during the upcoming cabinet retreat. The Bundestag is supposed to be formally presented with these results, he added. The Chancellor also pointed out that popular support for thorough reform of social security institutions was growing, indicating that people were realizing that structural change was necessary to maintain long-term social guarantees.
Traditionally, the discussion surrounding the Chancellor’s budget provides a more or less comprehensive platform for assessing federal policy. The current year’s budget’s delayed passage after the federal election was the subject of a previous dispute.
