Bundeswehr: Boris Pistorius is skeptical about increasing the special fund

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Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD): not a fan of the special fund

Photo: David Hecker / Getty Images

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is skeptical about the debate about a possible increase in special funds for the Bundeswehr. "I am happy about any suggestion that helps ensure that defense spending is budgeted sensibly and appropriately," said the SPD politician to the Germany editorial network. "Another special fund is one option - but not my favorite." Instead, the minister advocated that the defense budget be increased in the regular federal budget. "For our security, we need a Bundeswehr that is on solid financial footing in the long term."

The CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter recently brought up a significant increase in the 100 billion euro special pot for the Bundeswehr. "It's completely clear that we need 300 billion instead of 100 billion so that the Bundeswehr can become combat-ready," he told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung."

However, the move is not without controversy even within his party. A spokesman for the Union parliamentary group told the dpa news agency on Tuesday: "Mr. Kiesewetter's proposal is not the opinion of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group."

Pistorius lists the disadvantages of a special fund

Pistorius now said that a special fund anchored in the constitution has the advantage that a certain amount is available for a certain period of time and can be spent on equipment, weapons and ammunition. At the same time, however, he pointed out several disadvantages: Firstly, inflation would eat up part of the special assets. "On the other hand, the special fund cannot be used for maintenance, upkeep, repairs and training." If more weapons were purchased, the long-term costs for repairs would also increase.

Against the background of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, but also the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump's presidential candidacy in the USA, there is currently a struggle over the future financing of the Bundeswehr. The federal government wants to implement NATO's goal of spending at least two percent of economic output on defense. For Germany, this means - roughly speaking - that more than 20 billion euros will likely have to be added to the defense budget of around 50 billion euros every year. This is probably possible this year because of the special fund. How the goal will be achieved in the medium term – after the special fund has been used up – remains to be seen.

czl/dpa