Weekly happenings in the German Parliament (Bundestag)
Germany Announces Extensions and Investments in Second Supplementary Budget
In a move to support the economy and address climate change, the German government has approved a Second Supplementary Budget for 2021, totalling 60 billion euros. The budget, which temporarily suspends the constitutional debt brake, aims to continue significant government support measures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic stabilization.
The funds from this budget will be allocated for additional climate protection measures, economic transformation, and investments in digitization. The deadline for drawing down these funds was initially the end of 31 December, but it has been extended by one year due to unforeseen consequences of the corona pandemic and flood disaster. This extension aims to continue a positive impact on the economy and allow more funds to be used.
Regarding the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF), companies in Germany now have until 30 April 2022 to apply for funding. The funding pots for the Economic Stabilization Fund will be reduced, as the available funds are far from exhausted.
Starting from 2026, primary school pupils will have a legal claim to full-day care, gradually expanding to grades two to four. The federal government has set up a special fund of 3.5 billion euros for full-day care expansion. However, no explicit information was found regarding the status of this extension as of December 2021.
The Second Supplementary Budget's goal is to make up for investments in climate protection that were delayed due to the pandemic, boost the economy, and secure projects in the area of digitization. The EU Commission has extended the temporary framework for state aid until the end of June 2022, enabling Germany to continue its corona aid programs.
Periodically at the start of a legislative period, the Bundestag must decide on the continuation of the adjustment procedure for Members' allowances. However, no publicly available details were found from the 9th Session of December 2021 or afterward regarding this parliamentary administrative matter.
The Government's Draft Bill for the Second Supplementary Budget will be discussed in the first reading this week. A proposal by SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP to retain the adjustment procedure for the 20th legislative period is also being discussed this week. The drawdown of provided funds will be simplified by merging the base and bonus pots.
In summary:
| Item | Status as of December 2021 (or nearby period) | |-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Second Supplementary Budget 2021 | Approved, €60 billion, debt brake temporarily suspended for support | | Economic Stabilization Fund extension| Companies have until 30 April 2022 to apply for funding | | Full-day care extension | No explicit status found | | Members' allowances adjustment | No publicly available details found from the 9th Session of Dec 2021 |
The most authoritative source for these items is the December 2021 federal budget discussion and COVID-19 pandemic fiscal measures reported by the German Federal Ministries. Other sources focus on later dates or different topics. If you require exact parliamentary session transcripts or official protocol on these specific agenda items, those would need to be accessed directly from Bundestag records or official government publications.
The Second Supplementary Budget, with a total of €60 billion, aims to invest in climate protection measures, economic transformation, and digitization, and was extended to continue its positive impact on the German economy. The German government is also continuing to provide financial support to businesses through the Economic Stabilization Fund, with companies having until 30 April 2022 to apply for funding.
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