Germany’s federal government is looking at a budget deficit of more than 80 billion euros ($94 billion) next year as it seeks to sustain the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to two officials familiar with its discussions.
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who has yet to comment publicly on any budget figures for next year, floated the initial estimate at a meeting of the governing coalition last week, one of the officials said. A second official indicated that the number may eventually be slightly higher. A finance ministry press officer declined to comment.
