Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to the opposition SPD faction, the draft budget for North Rhine-Westphalia for the coming year is only a "placeholder" or "dummy budget". The figures presented are not a realistic basis for decision-making, criticized SPD parliamentary group leader Thomas Kutschaty on Wednesday in the Düsseldorf state parliament. The fact that Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (CDU) speaks of a "basic budget" in view of many outstanding issues is euphemistic.
Kuchaty called for a pact for the future of the economy - rapid government action is needed to support companies in the current energy crisis. The state government must take precautions against an impending recession and cushion the social consequences of the energy crisis. The black-green coalition also spends too little money on education, criticized the SPD politician.
The volume of the budget for the coming year is expected to increase by 5.0 billion euros to 93.4 billion euros compared to 2022. According to the NRW Finance Minister, several points could not yet be taken into account in the planning because they cannot yet be quantified due to ongoing negotiations with the federal government. The federal states want to discuss the financing of relief measures worth billions with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Wednesday.
