26.11.2025 - "Only with determined reforms for more growth, investments, and innovations can we make our country future-proof. The Federal Budget 2026 does not yet adequately reflect this. If the current course is maintained, we risk losing room for manoeuvre—a burden that the economy and society cannot bear permanently.

The Federal Budget 2026 is a record-setting budget. Planned expenditures amount to 525 billion euros - an unprecedented volume. Investments also reach a peak value of over 56 billion. Adding the federal share in the infrastructure and climate protection special fund, another approximately 40 billion euros come on top. Defence expenditures are also at an all-time high with nearly 83 billion euros. At the same time, new borrowing reaches a record level of 98 billion euros within the core budget alone, fully utilising extended debt capabilities with significant future obligations.

It is crucial that the funds from the special fund are not lost but are targeted swiftly and unbureaucratically into future investments. This alone is not enough. We need a sustainable reform course that addresses structural problems. If we are to invest 500 billion euros in infrastructure, then the public sector must utilise these funds efficiently. For this, we need consistent digitisation of administration, less regulation, and more trust in entrepreneurial action.

Future-oriented politics require clear priorities for growth-relevant expenditures. Only with rising growth rates can the enormous financial burdens of upcoming budgets be managed. Current estimates suggest that interest expenses alone will account for at least ten percent of the budget; these expenses are expected to rise to about 60 billion euros by the end of the legislative period. These are funds that will then be unavailable for other essential tasks. Ultimately, it will be about preserving Germany's financial sustainability so that our country remains a reliable stability anchor within the Eurozone."