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Rehlinger is pushing for rapid talks on reforming the debt brake
Markus Söder has shown openness to reforming the debt brake. Saarland’s Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger wants talks now – before the election.
The Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) is pushing for more speed in reforming the debt brake – and wants to take the first steps before the new elections on February 23rd.
“At least discussions about this can take place before the election,” said Rehlinger star. “Every step forward is welcome.” The head of government is currently serving as President of the Federal Council.
The reason is statements by Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder. He was in conversation with the star shown to be open to reforming the countries’ debt rules. Söder demanded that the federal and state governments should have the same debt rules. So far, the CSU leader has mostly rejected reforms.
“Now apparently Mr. Söder is also moving”
Rehlinger was pleased with the advance from Bavaria. “We federal states all have the same problems with the debt brake,” said the SPD politician. “More and more Union-led countries are now saying this, and now Mr. Söder is apparently also making a move.”
However, the demand made by Söder is not enough, explained Rehlinger: “Opening up for the federal states will not be enough to meet the investment needs in Germany.” The Federal Association of Industry (BDI), for example, is calling for investments of 400 billion euros over the next ten years. This cannot be achieved without further reform of the debt brake.
Merz also did not rule out reforming the debt brake
“The current form of the debt brake has become a brake for the future,” said Rehlinger. The states are currently banned from taking on new debt, while the federal government is allowed to take on debts of up to 0.35 percent of gross domestic product.
Most recently, Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz no longer ruled out reforming the debt brake. Several state leaders of the CDU have also called for a reform of the debt brake in recent months, including Kai Wegner (Berlin), Daniel Günther (Schleswig-Holstein) and Reiner Haseloff (Saxony-Anhalt).
Source: Stern
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