German Greens’ parliamentary faction sharply criticizes the decisions of the federal and state governments on the minister-presidents’ conference.
In an interview with the Rheinische Post, the Greens’ parliamentary faction’s deputy leader, Andreas Audretsch, accused Chancellor Merz and Vice-Chancellor Klingbeil of playing a false game. According to Audretsch, the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor had announced that the 500-billion-euro special fund would only be used for additional investments. However, a tax law presented by the government would withdraw an additional 30 billion euros from the states and municipalities by 2029, which would be used to close the financial gaps created by the government’s own fiscal policies.
Audretsch was referring to the resolution of the minister-presidents’ conference with Chancellor Merz on Thursday evening, which stated that the “additivity” of the special fund’s allocation would “no longer apply.” This decision contradicts the agreement between the Union, SPD and the Greens on the constitutional amendment for the special fund.
“First, Merz and Klingbeil let the states and municipalities bleed financially, then they agree with the minister-presidents that the ‘additivity’ of the new billion-euro credits completely falls away, in order to fill the holes again” Audretsch said. “These deception tactics do not correspond to the spirit of the negotiations on the constitutional amendment and are financially unprofessional.