Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner has defended the up to 200 billion energy relief package for citizens and companies in the face of international criticism.
“Measured by the size of the German economy and measured by the term up to 2024, the proportions of the measures are appropriate,” said Lindner on the sidelines of a meeting of the euro finance ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.
They correspond to what other countries in Europe have introduced and are therefore "certainly not oversized."
Countries such as Italy, Spain and Luxembourg had criticized the fact that not all countries had the financial resources to finance such measures and that the internal market could therefore be distorted.
EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton also wrote on Twitter on Friday: "We urgently need to think about how we can offer Member States - who do not have this fiscal space - the opportunity to support their industries and companies."
Lindner also emphasized again that Germany will comply with the debt brake in the coming year.
This then allows the federal government to only take on a limited amount of new debt.
The defense shield, on the other hand, will be financed this year via a so-called special fund and will then be gradually paid out.
The FDP politician said the money was "very strongly earmarked to avert economic damage in the particularly vulnerable German economy."
Dombrovskis calls for a coordinated approach
However, EU Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis indirectly warned Germany: “In this case, the European Commission advises a temporary and targeted measure so that it does not become a permanent burden on public finances, and also a coordinated approach.”
With the defense shield, the federal government wants to protect consumers and companies from high energy prices due to the Ukraine war.
Among other things, gas and electricity are to be made available more cheaply.
There should be liquidity and equity support for companies.
Details are still open.