The year couldn’t start better for Christian Lindner (42). His FDP has made the leap into government and heads four important ministries. Lindner himself got his desired finance department and should be cheered at the (virtual) Epiphany meeting of the liberals. And in the summer he is going to be married to his fiancée Franca Lehfeldt (32, RTL journalist).
BILD am SONNTAG: Mr. Lindner, what are your private resolutions for 2022?
Christian Lindner: “To reserve time for family and friends despite all obligations.”
And what is your most important resolution as finance minister?
Lindner: “After the pandemic, we have to go back to solid public finances. We have a responsibility to the younger generation. We are also watching inflation. Limiting debt is a matter of prudence. Germany must also work for this in Europe. “
But you have first launched a supplementary budget with 60 billion euros for investments in climate and energy, which were actually intended to deal with the corona crisis.
Lindner: “The supplementary budget serves to deal with the Corona crisis. The recovery of the economy requires powerful impulses, and investments that have been postponed due to the pandemic must be made up for. I want to make it possible for us to come out of the crisis with increased competitiveness and climate-friendly technology. “
We will relieve people and medium-sized businesses by well over 30 billion euros
You have a constitutional complaint on your neck for your supplementary budget, the opposition accuses you of “sleight of hand”. Are you a sleight of hand?
Lindner: “You have to understand the situation of the opposition. I look to the Union to exaggerate because I have no interest in alienation between the FDP and the CDU. In substance, however, we are using the same procedure that the Union used in 2020. Unlike the CDU at the time, it is important to me that we do not take out new loans, but only use existing authorizations. The funds will also not be used for general projects, but only for investments in connection with the pandemic. “
All traffic light coalitionists want money from their coffers. Which projects have to wait?
Lindner: “The room for maneuver in 2022 is tight. That’s why I’ve heard calls for tax increases. Here I can say: there will be no tax increases with the FDP. Instead, I asked my cabinet colleagues to prioritize their plans and to scrutinize previous expenditures. The regular debt brake is to apply from 2023. So only the prosperity that was previously generated can be distributed. “
The government wants to build a new terminal at BER Airport for around 50 million euros.
Lindner: “I do not consider a new representative building for state guests and ministers to be necessary. I hope that the Federal Foreign Office will change its previous opinion on this. The previous transitional building can be used permanently. A waiver would be the signal that we are careful with taxpayers’ money. “
You promised the voters more net income. When will that be the case?
Lindner: “Work on it has already started. The 2022 budget is still shaped by the previous government, but my draft for 2023 will contain relief. For example, the contributions to the pension insurance will then be able to be fully deducted from the tax, the EEG surcharge on the electricity price will be abolished. In this legislative period we will relieve people and medium-sized businesses by well over 30 billion euros. “
Photo: Parwez
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/beim-letzt-bild-am-sonntag-interview-vor-der-wahl-stand-lindner-noch-vor-dem-ministerium- now-si-5cbaec888b334fdba031ceca099ddaa8-78697022 / image / 3.image.jpg”/> At the last BILD am SONNTAG interview before the election, Lindner was still standing in front of the ministry – now he’s in the ministerial officePhoto: Parwez
What should the Prime Minister’s Conference on Corona decide on next Friday?
Lindner: “We don’t know the situation yet. Our goal remains to combine consistent health protection with social life in freedom. Parts of the CDU brought a lockdown into discussion again in November, the Green Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg curfews. With the federal government’s new crisis strategy, however, we managed the fourth wave without these blanket encroachments on freedom. We have relied on proportional contact limits in connection with the most successful booster campaign in Europe. “
Which unfortunately started way too late. What are your lessons?
Lindner: “I don’t want to rub myself against the former federal government. We have set up a permanent crisis team headed by a general. Another 30 million people are expected to receive a refresher in January. We do not know how the pandemic will develop. Therefore, we should soon be able to vaccinate the entire population within a month if necessary. We have to create the necessary infrastructure and secure access to the appropriate amount of vaccine. Germany should never again be surprised by a wave of infections unprepared. “
Are you now in favor of a general vaccination requirement?
Lindner: “I am no longer against it in principle. I feel like the majority of the FDP voters. But how I decide in the Bundestag, I can only determine that when I know the specific proposals. “
Parts of your parliamentary group headed by Wolfgang Kubicki are against compulsory vaccination. Does it tear the party apart on this issue?
Lindner: “On the contrary, in my party there is a respectful cooperation on such a fundamental issue. As a liberal, there are good reasons for taking both positions. That is why it was important to us that the Bundestag decides without parliamentary group discipline. “
Kubicki speaks of the proponents of “revenge” when it comes to compulsory vaccination.
Lindner: “You have to take Wolfgang Kubicki seriously, but not always literally. It is obvious that the vaccination debate is a source of conflict in society. “
Companies worry about supply chain interruptions, retail sales are falling, and the hospitality and travel industries are struggling to survive. How should the economy come out of the crisis?
Lindner: “I will submit a corona tax law. A number of aid measures are created or expanded therein. For example, losses in 2022 and 2023 must be able to be offset against profits from previous years. Nobody should be ruined by tax debts during the pandemic. “
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