Yasmin Fahimi (archive), via dts news agency
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Berlin (dts news agency) – The chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Yasmin Fahimi, is warning the federal government against cuts in social benefits in order to plug financial holes in the federal budget. Fahimi told the “Bild” (Monday edition) that the debate about social spending had to be turned “upside down”.
“Social spending in Germany is neither particularly high in international nor historical comparison – and has not grown much recently,” said Fahimi. She warned that “in times of upheaval, debates about austerity could provoke further social upheaval.”
Instead, we need to “address the debt brake,” said Fahimi. It is absolutely clear that supporting Ukraine and refugees “represents an emergency.” Declaring such an emergency would have already belonged in the 2024 budget, “and also belongs in the 2025 budget.”
Fahimi appealed to the federal government: “The state must now finally invest in its infrastructure and public services instead of continuing to live on the substance and thereby risk tomorrow’s prosperity. That’s why we should follow the recommendation of the Council of Experts and finally reform the debt brake.” All three coalition partners, but also the democratic opposition, should know this.
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