Germany new borrowing at 22bn euros in 2011

BERLIN: Germany is likely to have net new borrowing of 22 billion euros this year, almost half the 48.4 billion originally planned for 2011, two government sources familiar with budget plans said on Thursday.

The parliamentary budget committee, which meets on Thursday for its final budget meeting, will likely lower next year's net new borrowing plans to 26 billion euros from 27.2 billion, the sources said.

Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament will sign off the 2012 budget at the end of the month.