Budget Proposal for 2025 under Scrutiny: Coalition Accused of Deceitful Tactics by Opposition

In the heart of German politics, a heated debate is unfolding over the 2025 federal budget. The controversy began when Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) presented the draft budget in the Bundestag on July 8, 2025.

The Green Party's Parliamentary Leader, Schäfer, has been a vocal critic, arguing that the budget does not create new investments. Instead, Schäfer accuses the federal government of neglecting opportunities offered by a special fund and using it to fill budget gaps. Schäfer also points out that funds for the railway are being shifted from the core budget to the special fund.

Meanwhile, the AfD's Parliamentary Leader, Espendiller, has proposed drastic measures. Espendiller suggests reducing payments to the EU by 18 billion euros and completely stopping military aid to Ukraine. Additionally, Espendiller proposes potential savings of 14 billion euros per year in the citizen's allowance.

The Left Party's Politician, Bartsch, has also joined the criticism, accusing the federal government of making high debts to finance the largest armament in the history of the Federal Republic. Bartsch also claims that the budget is built on untruths and that development and crisis aid is almost halved, with social cuts announced.

The budget process for this year has been significantly delayed due to the federal election in February and the change of government in May. As a result, the so-called provisional budget management is in effect this year.

Despite the numerous criticisms and proposed amendments, Espendiller's faction submitted around 1,000 amendments in the Budget Committee, but they were all rejected.

The final debate on the 2025 Budget Act is scheduled to take place in the Bundestag in the week starting 15 September, with a vote planned for 19 September. The outcome of this debate will shape the financial landscape of Germany for the coming years.