Jens Südekum: “No money is wasted”

According to experts, the federal government is misusing the special fund for infrastructure and climate protection. The finance minister’s advisor says we have to calculate differently.

March 18, 2026, 4:53 p.m

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Article summary

Jens Südekum, economic advisor to Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, defends the government against allegations from the Ifo Institute, which claims that up to 95 percent of the funds from the special fund were misused. Südekum argues that the numbers are based on false assumptions and that the situation in 2025, characterized by elections and provisional budget management, is not representative. He emphasizes that the investments from the special fund should be additional and that the misappropriation rate would be lower if calculated correctly. He rejects criticism of the government for using money for election gifts and emphasizes the need to adhere to the minimum investment quota. Despite the need for improvement in the outflow of funds, Südekum emphasizes that funds cannot simply be reallocated and the allegations of wasting money are unfounded.

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Jens Südekum is Professor of International Economics at the University of Düsseldorf and personal economic advisor to Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD).

THE TIME: Mr Südekum,
The Munich Ifo Institute argues that the government is misusing up to 95 percent of the funds from the special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality. You advise Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil: What do you say about this number?

Jens Südekum: It gives the impression that money is being wasted on a large scale, but that is clearly not the case.