The German government has spent approximately 30 million euros on external legal consultants, despite employing more than 10,000 lawyers in the Ampel ministries and their subordinate agencies. A green ministry leads the ranking in terms of spending, according to a request by the AfD. The Ministries of the Ampel coalition have allocated this budget for services such as the creation of expert opinions, analyses, legal reviews, and consultations from external law firms. The data covers the period from December 8, 2021, to April 8 of this year. Interestingly, the predecessor government of Chancellor Angela Merkel had spent more on external legal advice over a comparable timeframe.
The majority of the consultancy costs for the Ampel ministries, totaling around 16.5 million euros, were incurred by the Ministry of Economic Affairs led by Robert Habeck (Green party). This was followed by the Federal Ministry of Transport with around 5.4 million euros, and the Federal Ministry of Health with around 3 million euros. The previous government of the Union and SPD had also spent a substantial amount on external legal expertise approximately two and a half years after the start of the legislative period in the spring of 2020. The Ministry of Transport under CSU Minister Andreas Scheuer led the spending with 16.9 million euros, followed by the Ministry of Defense with 5.3 million and the Ministry of the Interior with 4 million. It was also reported that more than 10,000 lawyers are employed in ministries and agencies.
The response from the Interior Ministry highlighted the presence of in-house legal expertise in addition to external consultations, emphasizing that there may be situations where external legal expertise is necessary for proper task fulfillment and is in line with budgetary regulations. The evaluation of the necessity of external legal advice is the responsibility of each respective ministry. The AfD’s parliamentary managing director, Stephan Brandner, commented on the large expenditure of tax euros required for legal consultations despite the government already employing a significant number of lawyers. These funds are essential to ensure the legal advice of the federal government remains secure.
The expenses for external legal advice are a continuation of a trend observed in the previous government, with both the Ampel coalition and the former government allocating significant funds for legal consultancy services. The detailed breakdown of spending by each ministry sheds light on the priority areas for legal assistance within the government. The utilization of external legal services is crucial for complex legal matters that require specialized expertise beyond the capabilities of in-house legal teams. The ongoing need for external legal support reflects the intricate legal landscape faced by the government and the importance of ensuring proper legal compliance in all administrative functions.
The AfD’s inquiry into the spending on external legal consultants highlights the transparency and accountability measures in place within the German government. By providing detailed information on the allocation of funds for legal services, the government demonstrates its commitment to open governance and financial responsibility. The role of external legal consultants in supporting the effective functioning of the government is essential, particularly in navigating complex legal issues and ensuring compliance with legal standards. As the government continues to engage external legal expertise, it underscores the importance of strategic legal support in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the administration.
