The pure figures for 2023 are very similar to those from this year. However, the Bavarian state budgets differ significantly in detail. The new draft is once again dominated by a crisis.
Munich (dpa / lby) - The state government wants to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis for companies, citizens and social institutions with a Bavarian hardship fund of 1.5 billion euros. The aid package is part of the 71 billion euro budget for 2023, the cornerstones of which the cabinet decided on Sunday in Munich. Bavaria wants to advance the expansion of renewable energies with an additional 500 million euros.
New debts should not be taken on for this - for the first time since Corona, it said. When asked, however, Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) said that around three billion euros had to be withdrawn from the reserve to cover the expenses. Bavaria still has reserves in the "billions". It was initially unclear how high these are in concrete terms, but according to reports this should still be between 1.6 and almost four billion euros.
"We have made important decisions for the winter, but also for the future of Bavaria," said Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) after the short cabinet meeting. Everything is financed from additional income and reserves, in contrast to the federal government without hidden new debts. The budget plan is neither bloated nor does it leave things lying around. Because of the Corona crisis, the state government had new debts of up to 20 billion euros approved by the state parliament.
Füracker emphasized that the financial situation remains tense despite the recently better than expected tax estimate. He cited the geopolitical situation, inflation, the energy crisis and the recession predicted by the leading economic institutes for the coming year as factors of uncertainty. All of this has to be taken very seriously and makes budgeting a major challenge.
The aim of the Bavarian energy rescue package is to supplement federal aid programs and to close possible gaps, said Söder. In concrete terms, small or medium-sized companies or craftsmen who receive little or no federal aid and are in a situation that threatens their existence due to the energy crisis should be able to take advantage of Bavarian aid.
The same applies to social infrastructure facilities, such as clinics, daycare centers, care facilities, private schools, student unions or the area of culture and media. But citizens who, despite federal aid, are "exposed to particular stress" and who can prove that their existence is at risk should also be able to apply for help. According to Söder, all of this also applies to users of heating oil or pellets, not just gas customers or the electricity sector.
The details - such as a possible maximum amount per individual case and the specific conditions - remained open after the cabinet meeting. It is clear, however, that the money can only be requested sometime in the new year. "It will be next year," said Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters).
With the total amount for the Bavarian hardship fund, the state government is once again going beyond Söder's previous announcements. Most recently, he had announced at least one billion euros, but had already added that this did not have to be the "end of the road". And now he said again that if the money is not enough, there is "room for improvement", if necessary one can always make adjustments in the budget. "We don't leave anyone alone," emphasized Söder.
In addition to the actual energy hardship fund, the LfA development bank is to offer companies that are in financial difficulties extended guarantees - a total of up to another 500 million euros.
A heart of the new "energy and climate turbo" with a volume of 500 million euros should be hydrogen, according to Söders. This is intended to promote the construction of up to 50 small hydrogen power plants. These should be created in particular in the regions where there is a particularly large amount of renewable energy production and a surplus in production, said Söder. Hydrogen is the ideal supplement for storing this electricity. Investments in the expansion of hydrogen filling stations and in the construction of special pipelines are also planned. It is also being checked whether the Free State will enter the gas, electricity and hydrogen networks supported by the municipalities in order to speed up the expansion.
Söder announced that the Eon shares still owned by the Free State should also be sold in order to invest in the Bavarian energy infrastructure. According to Söder, Bavaria's shares in the energy group have a volume of around 250 million euros. Their sale has been discussed several times in the past, but never completed.
According to Söder, the money from the share sale will also be used to expand photovoltaic systems on all state roofs, geothermal energy and the expansion of e-charging stations.
The budget is to be finally decided in the cabinet on November 22nd. The state parliament must then discuss and approve the work.
