Lars Klingbeil
Vice-Chancellor of Germany and Federal Minister of Finance (from May 2025); SPD co-leader (from 2021) · SPD (Social Democratic Party)
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and energy
Debt brake Exempt defence and investment
Said
The coalition should reform the debt brake so that more investment is possible permanently.
“Die Verabredung im Koalitionsvertrag ist klar: Wir wollen die Schuldenbremse so reformieren, dass dauerhaft mehr Investitionen möglich sind.”
Our translation The agreement in the coalition contract is clear: we want to reform the debt brake so that more investment is possible permanently.
Source Lars Klingbeil im Interview mit der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung (Bundesministerium der Finanzen)
- Nuclear powerNothing on record yet
Combustion engines Scrap or soften the 2035 ban
Said
The path to climate neutrality for cars is being made more flexible, for example by allowing hybrids to be registered for longer.
“Wir haben jetzt einen guten Weg gefunden, wie wir den Weg zur Klimaneutralität flexibler machen, indem z. B. Hybride noch länger zugelassen werden.”
Our translation We have now found a good way to make the path to climate neutrality more flexible, for example by hybrids still being registered for longer.
Source Lars Klingbeil im Interview mit der Neuen Osnabrücker Zeitung (Bundesministerium der Finanzen)
Society
Asylum Turn back more at the border
Said
The coalition agreed on more border controls, which lead to more people being turned back.
“Wir haben in den Koalitionsverhandlungen verabredet: Es gibt mehr Grenzkontrollen. Das führt zu mehr Zurückweisungen.”
Our translation We agreed in the coalition negotiations: there will be more border controls. That leads to more turn-backs.
Source Deutscher Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 21/3 (14 May 2025), Regierungsbefragung
Citizen's income Tighten or replace it
Said
The coalition will raise the pressure on Bürgergeld recipients who are caught working off the books.
“Wir wollen den Druck auf die Menschen erhöhen, die im Bürgergeld sind und bei der Schwarzarbeit erwischt werden.”
Our translation We want to increase the pressure on the people who are on Bürgergeld and are caught doing undeclared work.
Source Deutscher Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 21/3 (14 May 2025), Regierungsbefragung
Military service Voluntary first, draft as fallback
Said
He backs the defence minister's voluntary military service model, noting the armed forces currently lack the capacity to screen and train conscripts nationwide.
“Das Konzept, das Boris Pistorius auf den Weg gebracht hat, ist richtig – auch weil die Bundeswehr derzeit nicht über die Kapazitäten für flächendeckende Musterung und Ausbildung von Wehrpflichtigen verfügt.”
Our translation The concept that Boris Pistorius has set in motion is right – also because the Bundeswehr currently does not have the capacity for nationwide screening and training of conscripts.
Source Lars Klingbeil im Interview mit dem SPIEGEL (Bundesministerium der Finanzen)
Germany in the world
Ukraine Keep arming Ukraine
Said
The federal government will make sure Ukraine keeps receiving military aid to defend itself against Russia.
“Die Bundesregierung wird jedenfalls dafür sorgen, dass die Ukraine weiter militärische Hilfe bekommt, um sich gegen den russichen Aggressor zu verteidigen.”
Our translation The federal government will in any case make sure that Ukraine continues to receive military aid to defend itself against the Russian aggressor.
Source Lars Klingbeil im Interview mit dem RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (Bundesministerium der Finanzen)
- Arms for IsraelNothing on record yet
No change of mind on record yet: every position above is the latest they have stated, with its date.
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.