Doubts Linger over Coalition Government's Budget Procedure, CDU Cries Foul Play
The group staunchly denies any questionability surrounding the process of formulating the budget. - The Alliance dismisses suspicions concerning their financial methods
Hey there! Let's dive into a heated debate going on in Brandenburg's political scene. The coalition government, comprising SPD/BSW, and their adversaries, the CDU, are locked in a dispute over the legality and transparency of the process surrounding the double budget.
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The opposition CDU claims that the coalition is playing fast and loose with the budget proceedings, with questions revolving around the participation of certain experts in the hearings and reports prepared for the Ministry of Finance. Christian Breuer, an economist and former member of the expert council of the federal government, and Thorsten Ingo Schmidt, a Potsdam legal scholar, have found themselves at the heart of the controversy.
Finance Minister Robert Crumbach (BSW) Brushes off Criticism
In response to the CDU's criticisms, Finance Minister Crumbach maintained that he sees no legal problem with the hearing or the committee's procedure. The two experts were questioned on the permissible amount of cyclical debt in April, and while they did provide statements, Crumbach assures that their dual roles do not present any conflicts of interest.
CDU Pushes for Repeat Expert Round, Coalition Resists
Steeven Bretz, the CDU's finance politician, called for a re-examination of the expert round, stating that the appearance of arbitrariness must be avoided. However, the majority of the budget committee rejected the CDU's demand for a new hearing procedure. The AfD also joined in the criticism.
Dual Roles Called into Question
Andreas Noack, an SPD member of parliament, expressed a somewhat different view, acknowledging that dual roles may indeed occur but asserting that the expertise in this area is not as comprehensive as one would hope. He recommended renewing the hearing for the municipal peak associations. Christian Dorst, BSW's finance politician, also dismissed the CDU's criticism as a supposed deficiency.
- CDU
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The double budget for this and the following year is up for finalization this month. The planned changes aim to provide more funds for the police and hospitals while facing criticism for potential cuts to municipalities and the Medical University Brandenburg.
Embracing New Debt!
The coalition has plans to take on new debt in the billions as part of the budget. The debt brake in Brandenburg's constitution allows for debt increases under conditions of cyclical revenue shortfalls. However, the CDU argues that the proposed cuts are being withdrawn despite higher-than-expected tax revenues.
Changing the Budget Rules, Brandenburg-Style
The coalition also intends to make it possible for a higher debt increase and adjust the budgetary rules. The comparison period for economic development is proposed to be extended up to ten years. Although the advisory service of the Brandenburg state parliament does not consider these plans necessarily unconstitutional, the outcome depends on whether the change can be justified in light of economic and financial science standards.
- Budget
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The concluded hearing at the end of April by Breuer and Schmidt stated that the planned change was justifiable. The finance minister has considered the change legally permissible, necessary, and sensible, citing scientific expert opinions as support. The potential consequences of this budget saga include budgetary instability, legal action, and political strife. Stay tuned for updates in this rolling political drama in Brandenburg!
- The controversy surrounding the Brandenburg coalition government's budget proceedings has sparked a heated debate, with the CDU questioning the participation of experts like Christian Breuer and Thorsten Ingo Schmidt in hearings and reports related to the Ministry of Finance.
- The CDU has emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness in the budget process, calling for a repeat expert round and criticizing the potential conflicts of interest created by the dual roles of Breuer and Schmidt.
