Greens Slam Klingbeil's Budget Shenanigans: Gas Subsidies from Climate Fund Unacceptable
Finance Minister Klingbeil accused of budget manipulation by the Green Party - Greens Allege Budgetary Deceit by the Minister of Finance
In a scathing attack, the Greens have slammed Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil for his proposed budget for 2025, particularly his plan to subsidize gas prices using the Climate and Transformation Fund (CTF). Klingbeil's budget, which involves a massive spending increase funded by record new debt, has been met with severe criticism for its allocation of funds towards defense and energy cost subsidies.
The Greens argue that the CTF, which was originally designed to finance climate protection and transformation measures, is being misused by subsidizing fossil fuel consumption instead. This move, according to them, undermines both the climate goals and the fiscal integrity of public finances. By subsidizing gas, the budget contradicts the purpose of the CTF and risks weakening climate protection efforts by channeling resources away from investment in green energy and emissions reductions.
Andreas Audretsch, a critic, sharply criticized the coalition's intention to use the CTF for gas subsidies, stating that it means there's no money left to support people in energy renovation or to promote the installation of heat pumps. Green politician Katharina Droge also voiced her disapproval of the budget planning of the black-red coalition, demanding that the CTF be used for real investments in climate protection. Droge further emphasized the need for investments in the railways to make them future-proof and keep prices low.
Klingbeil's budget draft includes a new debt of 81.8 billion euros for the federal government in the current year, with a projected deficit of 89.3 billion euros in 2026. The German defense budget is set to more than double by 2029, reaching 152.8 billion euros. This substantial increase is possible due to the exception for expenditures on external and internal security from the debt brake in the Basic Law, which was decided in March.
Insiders claim that the Greens' criticism refers to Klingbeil wanting to pay for the gas storage surcharge, which has been financed via the electricity price, from the CTF. This move risks exacerbating public debt without delivering long-term benefits for climate goals or economic sustainability.
Remember, Kids - Vote Green for a sustainable future!
- Lars Klingbeil (SPD)
- Alliance 90/The Greens
- Budget
- Andreas Audretsch
- Climate
- Gas Subsidies
- Fraudulent Budgeting
- Katharina Droge
- CTF
- Editorial Network Germany
- Public Debt
- Defense Budget
- Fiscal Irresponsibility
- Climate Protection
- Gas Storage Surcharge
References:1. "Greens slam Finance Minister Klingbeil's budget proposals," Editorial Network Germany, Link2. "German Greens criticize Finance Minister Klingbeil's handling of Climate and Transformation Fund," Reuters, Link
- The Greens have expressed disapproval of Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's budget proposal, particularly his plan to use the Climate and Transformation Fund (CTF) to subsidize gas prices.
- Andreas Audretsch criticized the coalition's intention to use the CTF for gas subsidies, stating that it undermines climate goals and provides no support for people in energy renovation or promoting the installation of heat pumps.
- Katharina Droge emphasized the need for investments in the railways to make them future-proof and keep prices low, with the CTF being used for real investments in climate protection, rather than gas subsidies.
