Defense Budget Dispute between Christian Lindner and Boris Pistorius

Despite personal negotiations, Finance Minister Lindner and Defense Minister Pistorius couldn't find common ground on the defense budget, with Pistorius demanding 6.5 billion euros while Lindner remains cautious. The disagreement also touches on the issue of conscription, adding complexity to the budget talks, which are complicated by upcoming European elections.

Lindner emphasizes security, economy, and education as budget priorities, advocating for limited social spending increases and more investments in key areas like 'hard security'. The Finance Minister's stance aligns with the need for savings, except in education and defense, as per the current tax estimate, to achieve budget goals for 2025.