The German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) is unable to provide a specific figure for the planned budget shortfall for the current year. In response to a question from the CDU/CSU faction’s chief budget holder, Christian Haase, the ministry stated that the amount of the operational requirement only represents a momentary snapshot, as the basis for budget planning is constantly changing due to economic developments, according to the “Spiegel” report.
This stance by the BMF contradicts the estimate provided by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who had stated that the budget shortfall for 2025 would be around 26 billion euros. Scholz had explained that additional Ukrainian aid of three billion euros would not be possible without an exception to the debt brake, citing the shortfall as a reason.
The social democrat also mentioned that 10 billion euros in anticipated leftover expenditures from the ministries would be carried over to the next year, a phenomenon that is expected to occur annually. This residual amount would, in effect, reduce the budget shortfall. However, Scholz counts it as a consolidation requirement, making the financial difficulties appear larger than they actually are, according to the opposition. The ministry’s response is seen as an admission by the chancellor of having built a vote-catching gimmick, criticized Haase. Scholz, in this case, is presenting the budget realities as he prefers them.