Union Criticizes Ampel Budget Amidst Financial Gaps

The opposition parties have fiercely criticized the Ampel coalition's budget proposal for 2025, labeling it as 'budgetary wreckage.' Finance Minister Christian Lindner has rejected these accusations, urging the Union to support the growth initiative in the Bundesrat. The budget planners are currently grappling with a significant financing gap of 12 billion euros. Critics argue that the government is merely trying to buy time until the federal elections, after which a budget freeze may become inevitable.

During the heated debates, opposition figures such as Yannick Bury (CDU) and Peter Boehringer (AfD) condemned the budget as unrealistic and irresponsible. They fear that funding programs could run dry within the first months of 2025, potentially necessitating a budget freeze by a new finance minister. Lindner, however, has called on the Union to present their own savings proposals instead of merely criticizing the plan.

The Bundestag's budget week saw discussions dominated by asylumpolitics, yet the 490 billion euro budget also took center stage. Lindner's budget draft, which includes 12 billion euros in global spending cuts, has been a point of contention. The Federal Court of Auditors and constitutional lawyers have highlighted additional risks within Lindner's plan, including optimistic revenue assumptions from the proposed growth initiative.

The opposition has also raised constitutional concerns, suggesting that some measures may circumvent the debt brake. While no concrete legal challenges have been announced, the possibility remains on the table. The Bundestag has forwarded the extensive budget draft to the committee for further scrutiny, with the final budget expected to be decided by the end of November. Amidst these debates, the coalition partners continue to clash, reflecting deep divisions over financial priorities and strategies.