Steffen Meyer, the budget secretary, highlights the severely limited financial scope due to the overall budget situation. The finance ministry expects all departments to reassess their expenditures and set clear priorities. A significant budget deficit of over 140 billion euros is anticipated between 2027 and 2029, with a projected gap of around 22 billion euros for 2027. The increasing social expenditures and weak economic conditions are contributing to this deficit. The SPD is advocating for increased revenues alongside expenditure rationalization, including higher taxes for the wealthy. The budget planning process is set to be approved by the cabinet in April 2026, with the final budget proposal to be presented to the Bundestag and Bundesrat in July 2026. Teljes cikk (Portfolio.hu)