Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) are prepared to give up the goal of a black zero in the federal budget in the event of a recession. The SPIEGEL learned from sources in Chancellery and Federal Ministry of Finance. The holes, which would break a economic crisis, for example, through lack of tax revenue, should be stuffed with new debt. The government wants to let the so-called automatic stabilizers work in the downturn. Loss of revenue or increased spending due to the crisis are offset by loans, which smooths the course of the economy. The requirement applies to the budget of the ... (full story)