Germany’s Bundestag to vote on reforming the ‘debt brake,’ paving the way for a landmark spending bill Vote will focus on increasing defense, infrastructure spending The center-right block of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), along with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens are supporting the package The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), business-focused Free Democrats (FDP) and the Left Party failed to stop the vote in court The vote comes before the new parliament meets after the federal election in February
Germany’s likely next Chancellor Merz on spending package: ‘We have to act fast’
Lawmakers in Germany will vote Tuesday on a spending boost for defense and infrastructure, ad part of a plan put forward by chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz.
The boost is a radical departure for a country traditionally reluctant to take on large amounts of debt or to spend heavily on the military, given the horrors of its Nazi past.
But Merz, 69, whose conservative CDU/CSU alliance won last month’s election, has called for swift action as concerns grow that the US’ decades-old commitment to European defense is faltering under President Donald Trump.
In an interview with public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Merz said the “situation has worsened in recent weeks”, citing Trump’s overtures to Russia to end the Ukraine war and his wavering commitment to NATO.
“That is why we have to act fast,” Merz said.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the proposals were a “strong signal that Germany is serious about its own security, about the security of Ukraine and about the security of Europe.”
Bundestag to vote on change to Basic Law for debt package
Germany’s Bundestag on Tuesday will decide on several amendments to the Basic Law that will allow the future federal government to take on greater levels of debt.
The proposal is to ease the so-called “debt brake” for defense spending and for the federal states.
In addition, a fund of €500 billion ($545 billion) is to be created for additional investment in infrastructure and to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.
The CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens agreed in principle on the proposals last week.
A two-thirds majority is required for the planned amendment to Articles 109, 115 and 143 of the Basic Law.
The bloc of parties in favor of the reform will not have the two-thirds majority in the new parliament after the far-right AfD and the Left party made major gains in the February election.
Therefore, the parliament is holding a final session for the vote before the newly elected lawmakers take their place in the Bundestag.
Welcome to our coverage on Germany’s debt reform vote
Thank you for joining us as we bring you the latest from the German Bundestag’s vote on a historic spending package.
This blog will not only bring you the latest news on the vote, but also analysis and multimedia content.
The exceptional parliamentary session is set to begin at 0900 UTC, with the vote expected by 1200 UTC.