This is likely to be particularly difficult in the area of the Bundeswehr if the NATO target of two percent of the gross domestic product is to be met and the Bundeswehr is to be brought into the war-fighting condition desired by Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). The “Bundeswehr special fund” amounting to 100 billion euros can still be used for military training. But by 2028 at the latest, when the special fund will have expired, the defense budget must increase from around 50 billion euros today to at least 80 billion euros annually if NATO’s two percent target is to be met, as promised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, where the additional 30 billion euros will come from is one of the most difficult questions. However, while there is still some time left for this, a decision must be made quickly on the subject of transport. The responsible department head, Volker Wissing (FDP), lacks money in every corner. He needs at least an additional five billion euros to be able to finance current projects.
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In his distress, Wissing, in consultation with Lindner, proposed setting up an infrastructure fund from which the maintenance and expansion of the rail network as well as roads and waterways would be financed in the long term. A large portion of the funds for the fund will come from private capital sources. This should not be associated with a move away from the debt brake. “I think it’s right to stick to the debt brake for sustainability reasons, but you can be a little more creative when mobilizing capital for future investments,” says Lukas Köhler, deputy parliamentary group leader of the FDP. “I really like Volker Wissing’s idea of setting up an infrastructure fund and trying to use more private capital. For example, we need very high investments in electricity and distribution networks, but it is very difficult for German companies to mobilize enough funds here,” continued Köhler. The solution that Wissing and Lindner also have in mind: “New opportunities can be opened up by changing the capital market regulations.” So far, investments in public infrastructure have been limited, although the risks can be classified as low. There is also the idea of securing such investments with KfW guarantees and thus attracting more private investors.