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Christian Lindner Accuses Merz of Adding Debt Without Reforms in New TV Interview

The former finance minister, now working in the private sector, says fatherhood has sharpened his long‑term budget hawkishness.

Overview

  • In an ntv interview, Lindner said the government has produced new liabilities without the market‑oriented changes it pledged, calling it “Merz debt without Merz reforms.”
  • He warned the EU’s €90 billion Ukraine facility risks debt mutualisation that erodes fiscal discipline across the bloc.
  • Lindner ruled out a political return, saying the probability “goes to zero,” and emphasized he is pursuing business roles instead.
  • He cautioned that Germany’s state share is rising and projected a large portion of the federal budget will go to interest payments by decade’s end.
  • Offering selective praise, he backed Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s migration line and said Economics Minister Katharina Reiche shows clarity but lacks consistent political support.