German parliament approves 2026 budget - Most defense funding since the Cold War
The German parliament has approved the budget for next year, which includes fewer funds for development aid. The document was approved with the votes of the ruling coalition, the conservatives CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats.
The basic budget foresees spending of 524.5 billion euros. To this amount are added expenses for special funds for infrastructure and climate neutrality, as well as for the German Armed Forces, which will be financed by borrowing.
Germany's new debt will thus reach more than 180 billion euros next year. This is the second highest debt in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said that "this budget also foresees record investments." The bulk of the budget, around 197 billion euros, will go to the labor and social affairs sector, especially for pensions.
In second place in terms of funding is the Ministry of Defense, which will receive about 108 billion euros. This is Germany's highest defense budget since the Cold War. A large part of the money will go to military equipment and ammunition.
The budget for the Ministry of Development Cooperation will be reduced to 10.06 billion euros, the smallest amount in Germany's overall budget in the last 15 years.
Ukraine will be given 11.5 billion euros in aid in 2026.
The budget with the highest investments will be that of the Ministry of Transport. For major investments in roads, bridges and railways, 14 billion euros will be allocated from the regular budget, as well as 21 billion euros from the special fund for infrastructure.
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