The 2025 budget introduced by the traffic light coalition in the Bundestag is causing divisions among the coalition partners. Finance Minister Lindner faces rejection from the SPD and Greens on issues like citizen's income and the debt brake.
The budget negotiations are difficult, particularly due to disagreements over the Global Underexpenditure. Criticism of the budget draft comes from the Federal Court of Auditors and the Bundesbank.
Union faction deputy Mathias Middelberg describes the budget as unrealistic, dishonest, and irresponsible, leading to attacks from Lindner on CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The defense budget is also a topic of contention, with the Union criticizing it as a 'budget cut'.
The Greens call for reform of the debt brake, while the FDP sees it as a guarantee. The Left Party criticizes the high 'billion expenditure'.
Baerbock, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, criticizes budget cuts in her department, particularly in areas related to security and bilateral cooperation. The coalition's plan for a Berlin administrative reform faced rejection from CDU and SPD, putting pressure on the project's timeline.
Merz, the CDU leader, opposes EU joint debts, except for the 'Next Generation EU' program. The defense minister calls for more funding for the Bundeswehr, especially after the special fund created due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine expires.
