Ziemiak: Get back to the debt brake quickly

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Berlin (dpa) - CDU General Secretary Paul Ziemiak has spoken out in favor of returning to the debt brake set out in the Basic Law as soon as possible.

"For the Union it is clear: The suspension of the debt brake must remain the absolute exception," he told the German Press Agency in Berlin. “It's about our children being able to shape things in the future too. A permanent suspension of the debt brake is therefore not possible with the Union. " Ziemiak emphasized: “In contrast to the Greens, we want to get back to the debt brake as soon as possible. Because only that is sustainable and fair to the generations. "

The suspension of the debt brake became necessary due to the historical burden of the pandemic, said Ziemiak.

"Because in this way we help families, companies and secure jobs."

After the pandemic, the Union wants to lead the country to new and sustainable economic strength.

«We want to secure jobs and at the same time protect the climate.

Solid state finances remain the basis for this, ”emphasized the Secretary General.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) pleaded on Thursday in front of the Association of Family Entrepreneurs, despite the financial challenges posed by the corona pandemic, to stick to the debt brake in the Basic Law.

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According to the debt brake anchored in the Basic Law since 2009, the federal government is only allowed to borrow to a small extent, namely a maximum of 0.35 percent of economic output.

Exceptions are temporarily permitted in emergency situations.

For 2020 and 2021, the Bundestag used this to enable high loans to deal with the Corona crisis.

The government is also planning billions in new debts in the federal budget for the coming year.

There should be another exception to the debt brake.

The Greens are aiming in their election manifesto to loosen the debt brake on investments.

A change in the debt brake would, however, be tricky because a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag would be required for the necessary amendment to the Basic Law.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210423-99-320932 / 2