German Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 20/40, p. 3952.
Right honorable Frau President. Right
honorable colleagues. Dear spectators in the hall and on YouTube.
On the pediment of this building in which we
find ourselves is written: „Dem deutschen
Volke“ [To the German People]. It thus must be self-evident that German
foreign policy is to be aligned with this guiding principle. Yet unfortunately
in many cases, we see the opposite. It would be in the German interest to deal
frugally with the German tax money and be considerate of how this money is
used. It would be in the German interest to reduce debts and work on solid
finances.
We nevertheless have experienced at the
conclusion of the budget deliberations how an optimistic tax estimate for the
year 2022 has led to that the estimate for the Foreign Office was raised over the
seven billion euro threshold.
The additional tax expenditures of around half
a billion euros flow almost exclusively in the direction of Ukraine, in
addition to what, note well, was already foreseen and which also comes from other
estimates. Thereby flows the money into a country the people of which everyone
who has a heart is in solidarity with; yet where at the same time the question
must be put what actually happens with this money and whether it in fact
arrives where it is needed and does not seep into any non-transparent channels.
Frank Schwabe (SPD): How offensive!
That no one at the moment wants to hear Herr
Selenskyi emerges in the Pandora Papers and that just last autumn he was
accused of corruption is however in fact for me as a budget member unimportant.
Since the decisive point in the expenditures policy in the Foreign Office is
the deficient evaluation. There is not any balance, not any evaluation, not any
results control in which the use of hard earned German tax money in foreign
countries is actually made tangible.
Ralf Stegner (SPD): Offensive!
In fact, valued colleagues, the Foreign Office
is not in the position to say to an inquiry what exactly, in which country,
with which share, to which purpose it will be promoted. No one has an overall
view over the impenetrable wild growth of projects which is financed worldwide with
German tax money. Yet in committee, all other delegations are agreed that in
any case more money is needed. This is absolutely insane.
Nevertheless, Frau Minister Baerbock in the
deliberations has promised that by autumn will have been developed a system by which
at the touch of a button data on the Foreign Office‘s worldwide projects can be
summoned up. That meets not only with our approval but we also demand it. Since
only when we receive for once an overall view can we also begin with an
authentic evaluation and fully dedicate ourselves to the question of where we can
save money. Yet until then I want to impart to the government a few brief
remarks as to what does and does not serve the interests of our country.
A gas embargo against Russia is not in the German
interest; since it threatens a large number of workplaces and leads to new
fiscal burdens in the areas of labor, social and economy. It leads to
incalculable risks in regards our energy security. The question of with what Germany shall be heated next autumn cannot simply be left unanswered. Germany’s
dependence on energy imports created over decades can also not be ignored so to
act as if it did not exist. With all appreciation of the present situation, the
solidarity with the Ukraine may not go so far that we endanger our economic
venue and freeze our people next winter. And for a good finale: Weapons
deliveries to the Ukraine are also not in the German interest, which is what a
growing majority in the population also sees.
Against this background, it is certainly
ironic that the inscription „Dem
deutschen Volke“ here outside on the House was made out of melted down
cannons. The Federal government should perhaps ponder over the deeper meaning
of this choice of material and come to its senses.
Many thanks for your attention.
[trans: tem]
