Finance Minister Won't Talk Too Soon About Austerity Measures - Brandenburg's new finance minister faces billion-euro budget crisis
Daniel Keller has officially become Brandenburg's new finance minister at a time of major financial pressure. The state faces billion-euro deficits, forcing the SPD/CDU coalition to impose strict spending limits. Keller, a former economics minister and SPD parliamentary leader, now takes charge of tightening the budget while protecting key public services.
Keller's first task involves closely reviewing all state expenditures. He has promised to curb spending growth, focusing on areas where costs can be reduced without disrupting essential functions. His background in mathematics is seen as an asset for managing the financial challenges ahead.
The coalition agreement outlines a plan to cut personnel expenses by five percent by 2028. This reduction will be phased in gradually, affecting thousands of positions across the state administration. However, core areas such as police, justice, education, and finance will remain untouched. Final decisions on which jobs will go and where further spending cuts will apply are expected in the 2027–2028 budget. The government has not yet specified the exact number of employees affected, leaving some uncertainty for public sector workers.
The new finance minister faces a difficult balancing act. While personnel costs will drop by five percent over the next four years, critical services like schools and tax offices will stay fully funded. The full impact of these measures will become clearer once the next budget is approved.
