wolfgang scheuble is trying to play down the surplus, saying it is not as spectacular as it sounds, butt will reignite debate over tax cuts. >> the rise is not spectacular, but it is not bad news either. federal, state, and local government income will rise steadily until 2016. in 2011, the state collected 248 billion euros in taxes. fiscal experts believe tax income for the current yield -- year will rise slightly, reaching 252 billion. by 2016, the forecast tax income should reach 290 billion euros. >> the tax forecast shows that we have got the right mixture of budgetary consolidation, reducing the deficit, and growth stimulus measures in our financial policy. >> the government wants annual tax cuts of up to 6.1 billion euros. the bundestag, the second chamber of the german parliament on the debates that on friday. the opposition says the extra cash would be better spent on paying off the national debt. >> staying here in berlin, as expected the german parliament has voted to extend the mandate of its troops serving with the international naval force in somalia. the military will now

german finance minister wolfgang bashary blood has suggested that the eurozone could handle a -- wolfgang scheuble suggested that the years of good handle putting pressure on countries are anti bailout sentiment is strong. spain is one of them. >> to turn things around there, the government has launched a reform program that is tough on banks, but austerity has already led to such damage to the tax revenues in spain are plummeting as thousands continue to lose their jobs, businesses, and homes. >> the european commissioner for economic affairs confirmed that the european economy is a troubled but said he was optimistic about the potential for recovery. >> the european economy is estimated to be currently in a mild but short-lived recession. however, gdp growth will remain, as i said, soft and uneven across member states. >> he said poland had the highest growth rate in the eu. he said spade at its work cut out, curbing spending for regional governments to meet its targets -- he said spain had its work cut out. france also have to reduce spending. spain is headed for a budget deficit of 6.3% next y