Overview
- In interviews published on February 14, Bundesrechnungshof president Kay Scheller says the Bundeswehr’s procurement setup has too many actors and slows decisions, urging simpler structures that let experts act faster.
- He urges tighter budget priorities with social benefits focused on the truly needy, putting middle-class subsidies and voluntary programs under review.
- Scheller warns the pay-as-you-go pension system already needs about €120 billion in federal transfers and advises against expanding subsidies, criticizing measures like the expanded “Mütterrente” and a fixed pension level.
- He faults the infrastructure special fund for not delivering strictly additional investment, saying its use is creating room for consumption in the core budget.
- Citing weak administration and poor digitalization, he calls for leaner federal authorities and faster processes, while arguing Germany must invest in national defense rather than rely on U.S. protection.