Scholz faces backlash over debt brake in Ukraine aid dispute
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands his ground: aid for Ukraine should be financed by suspending the debt brake. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Scholz of exploiting this issue in the election campaign, as noted by the German media.
"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his stance that he would agree to additional arms deliveries to Ukraine worth 3 billion Euros (4,5 billion Canadian dollars) only if the debt brake is suspended," wrote the tagesschau portal.
The only solution without having to finance this through budget cuts across Germany is to take out a loan.
By the way, this is the path practically every country around us has traversed—stated Scholz (SPD) after a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Friday in Berlin.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) criticized Scholz's reluctance to approve another 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine. "Even now, during the election campaign, some prioritize a national perspective — or how to quickly gain a few votes in the parliamentary election — rather than taking real responsibility for securing Europe’s peace and freedom," said the German Foreign Minister in an interview with "Politico".
Baerbock expressed regret over the ongoing dispute about new billions in aid and noted that "Germany as a whole isn’t currently seen as a driving force for peace policy in Europe".
3 billion Euros in military aid
Most in the Bundestag are in favour of granting Ukraine another 4 billion Canadian dollars in military aid this year. However, there is a dispute about how this amount should be financed—reminded tagesschau.
Like the liberal FDP and the Christian Democratic CDU/CSU, the Greens believe it is possible to finance aid for Ukraine from "unplanned expenditures". However, Article 112 of the Basic Law stipulates a condition: "Aid may only be granted in the case of an unforeseen and unassailable need". An example of such expenditures was emergency aid for flood victims in 2013, recalled the portal.
Scholz has already proposed suspending the debt brake during government negotiations between the SPD, Greens, and FDP regarding the 2025 budget, which eventually led to the coalition's collapse. "Due to differences in approach, Scholz assumes that funding issues will not be resolved before the February 23 elections," wrote tagesschau.
Scholz received support from SPD leader Saskia Esken—observed the portal. If Baerbock rejects the suspension of the debt brake, “she should explain where she intends to save 3 billion euro (4 billion Canadian dollars) in a budget already short by about 20 billion euro (29 billion Canadian dollars)," said Esken.
