So now it is: the debt cover will be lifted again, the emergency clause will be used - not for the 2023 budget, but soon, in order to be able to push credit authorizations in a side budget this year.
It's about 200 billion euros.
The intention is certainly noble, helpful and good.
The aim is to at least partially shield citizens and businesses from the burdens associated with the absurdly high energy prices.
But is the remedy correct?
The solution, which the traffic light agreed on after an agonizing consensus-finding process, is intended to relieve the energy-consuming citizens and companies.
But that must not mean that demand remains as high as it is.
After all, the offer remains tight.
Do both fit together?
doubts are warranted.
The Federal Minister of Finance resisted until the very end to loosen the debt brake for next year.
In this case, Christian Lindner fears the dam bursting, the rush of cabinet colleagues and the Prime Ministers, who are demanding more money for all sorts of purposes - including things that have nothing to do with the acute energy crisis.
The costs will catch up with the company
The funds that are now being set aside via the Economic Stabilization Fund are earmarked.
This helps Lindner, who can use it to fend off energy-related claims.
And yet great uneasiness remains.
The coalition is once again posting expenses today that will not be incurred until tomorrow.
This contradicts important budgetary principles.
And, of course, debts booked in a tricky way also burden the room for maneuver in the future.
Principal payments can perhaps be delayed, but interest payments certainly cannot.
During the Corona crisis, Olaf Scholz unpacked the “bazooka”, as the SPD politician called it at the time.
Higher government borrowing is always popular in his party.
Scholz obviously didn't do any harm on his way to the chancellor's office.
The FDP wanted to end the debt policy.
What is now officially called a defensive screen is Lindner's bazooka.
The costs pushed away today will catch up with society tomorrow.
The bill will come – the only open question is who will pay how much.