Scholz supported the reduction of the parental benefits program in Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supported in his speech in parliament the initiative to reduce the program of payments to families with two or more children amid rising defense spending, writes SPIEGEL.

Now in Germany, families whose total income does not exceed 300,000 euros per year can apply for such benefits, which, according to Scholz, is “very, very much.” The project proposes lowering this threshold to 150,000 euros. Some deputies of the Bundestag, the newspaper notes, then accused Scholz and the government of not fulfilling their promises to protect children.

The chancellor himself called ensuring the security of Germany and increasing defense spending a challenge for the entire budget, transmits “RIA News”. The draft budget presented by the ruling coalition presupposes a reduction in government spending in almost all areas, except for defense.

After the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Western countries began to provide financial assistance to Ukraine and supply it with military equipment and weapons. The Russian authorities have repeatedly criticized such supplies, noting the growing direct and indirect involvement of Western countries in the conflict.

At the end of May, it became known that Ukraine requested from Germany the supply of long-range Taurus missiles with a range of up to 500 km. According to Der Spiegel, Germany bought about 600 Taurus 10 years ago, of which only 150 missiles can now work. On May 30, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov called on the FRG to supply such weapons to Kyiv. On July 2, Scholz announced Germany’s unwillingness to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.