Germany's incoming chancellor plans to cut state bureaucracy

(CLO) Germany's incoming Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the country's next government will have to cut costs for the state apparatus, even though he has just proposed a 500 billion euro financial package supported by public debt.

"We will have to cut costs at the federal level, at the state level and at the local community level," Mr Merz told German public broadcaster ARD.

The comments came after he proposed a massive spending plan backed by the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), which is being put forward by the CDU/CSU to form a coalition government after last month's election.

Mr. Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU alliance. Photo: X/Friedrich Merz

Mr Merz's proposal for a new 500 billion euro financial package and cuts in the cost of running the state apparatus at all levels would give Germany more resources to invest in defense and infrastructure - issues that are said to have been neglected in the country for many years.

The massive budget package needs a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat to pass. It has just received approval from the Bundestag's Budget Committee.

After initially opposing the package, Germany's Green Party is expected to vote in favour, as 100 billion euros will be earmarked for the fight against climate change. Mr Merz hopes the constitutional changes will be passed before the new Bundestag begins its term on 25 March.

Some Bundestag members are planning to turn to the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe to block a vote on a multi-billion euro financial package scheduled for Tuesday. The Constitutional Court confirmed the application on Sunday.

Three Bundestag members from the business-focused Free Democratic Party (FDP) also said they intended to file an urgent application to the Court, citing a lack of time to publicly discuss the social consequences of the package of measures.

Hoang Hai (according to ARD, Yahoo News, DW)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-sap-toi-cua-duc-co-ke-hoach-cat-giam-bo-may-nha-nuoc-post338939.html