Press Release: Germany: German budget for 2005 continues Agenda 2010 reforms and expands investments in future

The cabinet approved Finance Minister Hans Eichel's draft budget for 2005 as well as a financial plan for the period from 2004 to 2008 in which provisions are made for continuing the government's Agenda 2010 reform program. Budget consolidation remains the government's preeminent financial policy objective. The size of the federal budget for 2005 is 258.3 billion euros, an increase of around 0.4 percent over 2004. Net borrowing of 22.0 billion euros is less than the estimated 22.8 billion needed for investments