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Due to the corona pandemic, the federal government took on higher new debts than ever in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany.
A total of 130.5 billion euros in additional loans were taken out, as reported on Tuesday from the Ministry of Finance.
The previous record was 44 billion euros in 2009.
However, the new debt remained well below the credit line of up to 218 billion euros that the Bundestag had approved and thus overridden the debt brake.
In the Ministry of Finance this was justified by the fact that the economy had not slumped as much as feared.
As a result, tax revenues are above expectations, while expenses for corona aid and social security are lower.
The fact that this sum was by no means exhausted is also likely due to the fact that a large part of the economic aid intended for November and December is only now being paid out to companies.
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"Our resolute aid policy is working," said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD).
"We have invested a lot of money for health protection, to support the economy and to safeguard employment." That pays off in many ways.
“Despite the pandemic, we have our finances under control,” added Scholz.
"We have the strength to continue to take massive action against the Corona crisis, and that's exactly what we're doing."
This year, 180 billion euros in debt are planned
The new borrowing record could already be exceeded again this year.
In the federal budget for 2021, a new debt of 180 billion euros is planned.
The budget alone provides almost 40 billion euros for corporate aid and 35 billion euros as a reserve for potential expenses that have not yet been quantified in connection with the virus pandemic.
The Ministry of Finance is therefore confident that the money will be enough despite the planned expansion of the Corona aid under bridging aid III.