The Federal Court of Auditors criticizes the government's 200 billion euro special fund to curb energy prices. The budget would become even less transparent, loans would be taken out that are not directly reflected in the budget. In addition, there are already numerous special funds.
The Federal Court of Auditors criticizes the traffic light coalition's EUR 200 billion protective shield to dampen the skyrocketing energy prices. According to a report by the experts for the budget committee of the Bundestag, it is problematic in several respects. The 15-page analysis was available to the Reuters news agency, and the committee is due to deal with it on Wednesday.
"The budgeting of the funds in a special fund reinforces the already existing lack of transparency in the federal budget," criticized the Court of Auditors. In addition, the planned borrowing in advance violates the constitutional principle of annuality. The loans should be taken out in full in 2022 and placed in a reserve. Most of the expenditure would then be made in 2023 and 2024. "The protective shield should be financed directly from the federal budget."
The Court of Auditors also criticized that there are already many special funds such as the climate fund, one for digital infrastructure and the modernization of the Bundeswehr. For the current defense shield - a reaction to the Russian attack on Ukraine - the Corona Crisis Fund WSF is to be reactivated and equipped with new funds, which will increase debt again this year. The money can then be used until mid-2024 to finance the planned gas price brake, the planned electricity price brake and help for ailing companies. It is still unclear how exactly the 200 billion will be used.
