Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has called for a timely debate about the financing of the Bundeswehr after the 100 billion euro special fund expires.
“If we take the turning point seriously, Germany must do more for its security. For this we will need a lot of money for the Bundeswehr,” said the Green politician in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung”. “But the special fund will be used up in not too long a time – what then?” asked the Vice Chancellor.
He sees taking out loans beyond the previously permitted limits as a possible way out. “The debt brake has good reasons and it applies to the work of this coalition,” Habeck made clear. “But we should think beyond the present day and consider whether the political rules we have set ourselves still fit the changing times.” Answers are needed as to “how we can meet the various investment needs in the country over a longer period of time.”
Robert Habeck is committed to national security
After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the federal government set up a special fund of 100 billion euros to better equip the Bundeswehr. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) linked this to the term “turning point” and promised that Germany would immediately invest two percent of its gross domestic product in defense.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said on Friday in Hamburg that around 66 percent of the 100 billion euros would be contractually bound at the end of this year. Like Habeck, the minister pointed out the problem after the pot ran out. “The challenge begins in the years 27/28. The special funds will be used up,” Pistorius explained at the Bundeswehr’s leadership academy and emphasized that further fulfillment of the two percent target would then mean “all in all 20 percent more than today.” .
Source: Stern
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