Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has defended the budget for 2022 against criticism.

It is a first contribution to the consolidation of state finances after the coronavirus crisis, despite the changed framework conditions caused by the war in Ukraine.

"In a crisis, the state must act."

The aim of the federal government is to normalize finances again and build up buffers, said the FDP chairman on Tuesday at the beginning of the budget week in the Bundestag.

From 2023 and in the years up to 2026, the debt brake should be complied with again.

That is also a question of credibility.

More help for Ukraine

The debt brake has been suspended since 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, the government wants to justify the renewed exception to the rule enshrined in the Basic Law with the Russian attack on Ukraine.

According to Lindner, the corresponding application to the Bundestag will be adjusted as soon as the government can present the planned supplementary budget.

The supplementary budget should only include measures related to the war.

This included, for example, relief for citizens and business as well as help for refugees inside and outside Germany.

With his almost 45-minute speech, Lindner opened the first week-long consultation of the Bundestag on the draft budget for 2022 and on financial planning up to 2026. The budget is to be approved at the beginning of June.

By then, the supplementary budget should be available, with which the new debt should increase significantly again.

So far, the draft provides for 99.7 billion euros in new debt in the core budget and a special fund of 100 billion euros for the modernization of the Bundeswehr.

This increases the new debt by almost 200 billion euros.

The opposition fears record debt and criticizes the lack of details on the consequences of the Ukraine war.

CSU regional group chief Alexander Dobrindt spoke of a household puzzle that was not enough.

Lindner added that the government will do everything possible to avoid a phase of stagflation.

Such a period of no economic growth coupled with high inflation would be dangerous.

"The rising prices affect the broad spectrum of society." The government has therefore already put together a 16 billion euro relief package for companies and citizens.

"More relief will come."

Lindner promised Ukraine further help.

An internationally coordinated reconstruction plan is needed.

"We hope for peace soon." Germany will support Ukraine's reconstruction.

The solidarity is permanent.