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BERLIN, Nov 13 (AFP): Germany could dip into the Bundesbank's gold reserves to partly finance government attempts to kick-start the economy, designated finance minister Peer Steinbrueck said Saturday.
But the plan for investing in research and development projects would have to be cleared first with the president of the German central bank, the Social Democrat told a press conference.
Bundesbank president, Axel Weber, has autonomy over sales of gold reserves.
Steinbruck also announced state debt would reach 41 billion euros (US$ 48 billion) next year to "pump some air" into the domestic economy.
The planks of the government's 25 billion-euro public investment package for 2006 are job creation, transport, scientific research, support for small-and medium-sized businesses and family benefits.
The coalition led by conservative Angela Merkel has opted to increase the 2006 deficit in a bid to kick-start growth and create jobs before cutting back to within European Union limits in 2007.
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