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AFP
Frankfurt
Germany plans to take on 166 billion euros in new debt next year, according to a draft bill seen by AFP, as measures to curb the second wave of the pandemic eat into government coffers.
Borrowing in Europe’s largest economy in 2021 will rise by 69.9 billion euros ($82.5 billion) more than previously announced, further shattering Germany’s constitutionally enshrined debt brake rule, the draft legislation said.
In September, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said that Germany would take on new debt of 96.2 billion euros next year.
But an “extension of corona support”, including through prolonging a short-time working scheme to mid-2021, will boost spending, the report said.
A final decision will be taken by the budget committee in a meeting on Thursday, before being voted on by the German parliament.
Additional costs may need to be added if the country’s current curbs shuttering leisure venues and sports facilities as well as limiting restaurants to takeaways are extended past November.
Other industries including in retail and manufacturing have been allowed to stay open.
The government promised an additional 10 billion euros in support of sectors specifically hit by the November measures, which Chancellor Angela Merkel dubbed “lockdown light”.
The chancellor is expected to take stock of the measures and discuss extensions or further curbs at a meeting with regional leaders of Germany’s 16 states on Wednesdsay.
Frankfurt
Germany plans to take on 166 billion euros in new debt next year, according to a draft bill seen by AFP, as measures to curb the second wave of the pandemic eat into government coffers.
Borrowing in Europe’s largest economy in 2021 will rise by 69.9 billion euros ($82.5 billion) more than previously announced, further shattering Germany’s constitutionally enshrined debt brake rule, the draft legislation said.
In September, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said that Germany would take on new debt of 96.2 billion euros next year.
But an “extension of corona support”, including through prolonging a short-time working scheme to mid-2021, will boost spending, the report said.
A final decision will be taken by the budget committee in a meeting on Thursday, before being voted on by the German parliament.
Additional costs may need to be added if the country’s current curbs shuttering leisure venues and sports facilities as well as limiting restaurants to takeaways are extended past November.
Other industries including in retail and manufacturing have been allowed to stay open.
The government promised an additional 10 billion euros in support of sectors specifically hit by the November measures, which Chancellor Angela Merkel dubbed “lockdown light”.
The chancellor is expected to take stock of the measures and discuss extensions or further curbs at a meeting with regional leaders of Germany’s 16 states on Wednesdsay.
