German Chancellor Olaf Scholz insists on his opinion that aid for Ukraine is to be financed by suspending the debt brake. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Scholz of abusing this issue in the election campaign, German media note.
“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz repeated his position that he will agree to additional arms supplies to Ukraine worth three billion euros only if the debt brake is suspended,” wrote the Tagesschau portal.
The only solution to finance the supply of weapons to Ukraine worth three billion euros without budget cuts throughout Germanyis to take out a loan. “By the way, this is the path that virtually every country around us has taken,” Scholz said (SPD) after meeting with the Prime Minister Sweden Ulf Kristersson on Friday in Berlin.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock (Greens) criticized Scholz's reluctance to approve another three billion in military aid for Ukraine. “Even now, during the election campaign, some people give priority to the national perspective – or how to quickly win a few votes in the parliamentary elections – instead of taking real responsibility for ensuring peace and freedom in Europe,” the head of the German Foreign Ministry said in an interview for “Politico”.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (center) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right)JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/East News
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The majority in the government is in favor of granting another aid package to Ukraine
Baerbock expressed regret over the ongoing dispute over new billions in aid and noted that “the Federal Republic as a whole is not seen as a driving force for peace policy in Europe.” A majority in the Bundestag supports granting another three billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year. However, there is a dispute as to how this amount should be financed – reminded Tagesschau.
Just like liberal FDP and the Christian Democrat CDU/CSU, the Greens believe that it is possible to finance aid for Ukraine from “unplanned expenses”. However, Art. 112 of the Basic Law sets out the condition: “Assistance may be granted only in the event of unforeseen and undeniable need.” The portal recalled that an example of such expenses was emergency aid for victims of the 2013 flood.
Baerbock “should explain where she wants to save three billion euros in the budget”
Scholz has already submitted a proposal to suspend the debt brake during government negotiations between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP on the 2025 budget, which will ultimately led to the collapse of the coalition. “Due to differences in approach, Scholz assumes that the financing issue will not be resolved before the elections,” wrote tagesschau.
The portal noted that Scholz received support from SPD leader Saskia Esken. If Baerbock rejects suspending the debt brake, “it should explain where it wants to save three billion euros in a budget that is already short of about 20 billion,” Esken said.
The Bundestag elections will be held on February 23.
Main photo source: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/East News