Prime Minister's Conference: Lindner makes countries responsible

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner asked the federal states before the consultations on financing the planned relief to make their contribution to overcoming the crisis.

“You have to help each other.

But it is also not possible, if I may say so in all politeness, that the federal states simply implement coalition projects and achieve budget surpluses – and the federal government is in the deep red and has to do crisis management, ”said the FDP politician on ZDF on Tuesday - "Morning magazine".

"I think the citizens expect all levels of government to do their part to ensure that our country gets through these times without major damage."

During the consultations between the prime ministers and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the afternoon, the focus will be on the design of the planned gas price brake, the financing of various other relief measures and the distribution of the costs of the sharp increase in the number of refugees.

Lindner slowed down in view of the desire of the federal states that the federal government give them additional billions to cover the refugee costs.

“There are tasks that are taken over by the federal states according to the Basic Law, such as the question of how refugees are accommodated, the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

Here you have to remember that there is this division between the federal and state governments," he said.

He again campaigned for a reduction in the cold progression in taxation.

This is an effect in which the automatic tax increase with wage increases means that in times of inflation, the bottom line is that the citizens have less money.

"Here I hope for a very quick agreement of the state levels," said Lindner.

Wust dampens expectations

North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst dampened expectations before the meeting of the federal and state governments on the financing of crisis measures.

You have to talk about the 19 billion euros that the federal government is demanding from the federal states as a contribution to a relief package, said the CDU politician on Tuesday morning on Deutschlandfunk.

With a reference to the additional costs that are foreseeable for the federal states, he emphasized the limited financial leeway of the states.

He cited heating costs as an example.

"It can't be right that we're already considering closing facilities, especially for children and young people - whether daycare centers, schools, universities, vocational schools - because we can't afford the heating costs." Such closures would come for him out of the question, but you need “the means to be able to act on your own responsibility”.

The Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) meanwhile called on the federal government to present a specification of the planned relief package and further financial commitments at the federal-state meeting this Tuesday in Berlin.

The countries would continue to work constructively to combat the energy crisis, Rhein told the "RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland" (Tuesday).

At the same time, the federal government must continue to support the states financially: "The 200 billion umbrella cannot mean that the states are left out in the rain," emphasized the Prime Minister.

The Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) called for a solidarity between the federal and state governments.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is meeting with the heads of the federal states in Berlin this Tuesday to discuss the planned “defense shield” against the consequences of the energy crisis.

"We are very excited about the details of the federal government's announced 'double boom'," Rhein told RND.

So far, the federal states alone are aware of the volume of 200 billion euros that is said to come from the economic stabilization fund.

"Unfortunately, we do not yet have any more details about the announced cap for electricity and gas," said the CDU politician.

The Saarland Prime Minister Rehlinger told the Bavarian radio before the federal-state talks that she expected an amicable solution.

“Everyone must be able to rely on everything being done to ensure that we get through the winter well.

In the end, we need a national solidarity of responsibility so that this economic crisis does not turn into a social crisis as well.” As far as the distribution of the burden is concerned, the SPD politician expects a signal from the federal government for a “fair burden sharing”.

According to Rehlinger, the federal states are demanding support from the federal government in the areas of local transport, accommodation for refugees and housing allowances.

With regard to the 200 billion euro relief package announced by the federal government, Rehlinger emphasized: "We have to recognize

that the federal government has put a really heavy package on the table in the interests of the citizens.

We countries should now also see that we are making our contribution.” Rehlinger believes that the planned gas price brake should be well prepared.