German Green Party is threatening that potentially registered Prime Minister Friedrich Merz proposed a torpedo scheme to invest hundreds of millions of euros in defense and infrastructure.
Merz, the largest emergence of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the legislative elections in February, is particularly hoping to ease the strict restrictions imposed by Germany’s “debt brakes” and invest more in defense and safety. His proposals have seen the country’s economy stagnate for a long time, and the country’s economy stagnates as President Donald Trump’s direct overture to Russian President Vladimir Putin feels Europe vulnerable to security.
The proposed constitutional changes to ease strict borrowing restrictions in the defense field and establish a 50 billion euro ($5420 billion) fund for infrastructure were described as historic when it was announced last week.
“We don’t let this happen, we don’t let Friedrich Merz and Lars Klingbale. [of the Social Democratic Party] Green Party co-leader Franziska Branter told reporters Monday.
“This is not useful for the country to Europe or our interests.”
Since it was introduced by former Prime Minister Angela Merkel in 2009, Germany’s constitutional “debt brake,” a hallmark of Berlin’s fiscal policy, has limited new borrowings to 0.35% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Mertz’s proposal exempts military spending from that rule – there is no “necessary defence spending” cap.
The change will also allow infrastructure funds to be spent over a decade, facilitating spending rules for the federal state and local governments in Germany.
Meltz needs Green’s support to win the two-thirds of the majority needed in the current Congress for constitutional changes, including relaxing borrowing restrictions.
He is trying to hurry change despite remaining in talks with potential Social Democrats (SPD).
That’s because the German (AFD) far-right alternative and left-wing Dai Linke have more than a third of their seats in the next parliament, which will be held at the end of the month. Therefore, they can block changes.
The AFD filed an urgent legal motion on Monday to challenge Mertz’s attempt to get the Constitutional Court to consider the spending package.
The Greens were in favor of reforming Germany’s strict constitutional spending restrictions, but the changes proposed by Mertz were not necessary, Bandestag green leader Katharina Droge told reporters.
Merz and his partner at SPD had created “treasure chests” to fund political priorities, including tax cuts, Droge said.
“Anyone who wants our approval for more investments must show that it’s really about more investments in climate protection, more investments in the country’s economy.”
Felix Banaszak, who is also co-chair of the party, said the Greens have prepared their own legislative motions on security and defense, and that the party is ready to seriously discuss Germany’s security and defense capabilities.
However, he explained the operation of the CDU and SPD and won the party’s support as a “terrifying mail.”
“The goal is to arrive at a common solution,” he said, adding that Merz was under pressure to consult with the chairman or other representatives in the Congress.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil said he was concerned about a “very serious” change of the country’s constitution in response to the Green Party’s decision and had promised to continue the discussion to convince Green.
“I’m not surprised from my conversation with them last night that we haven’t yet been involved in the general denominator, but the priority right now is to come together and have a secret discussion,” he said.
“I think we all recognize the importance and potential impact of this decision,” he added.
Joerg Kukies, the country’s current finance minister, said greens have legal points.
“We hope there will be more consultations with the Greens and we will persuade them to help reform debt bribery,” he told reporters in Brussels on Monday.
After initial discussions on Thursday about Mertz’s proposal, the constitutional amendment is expected to be voted on March 18 by Bundestag members.
Merz’s CDU and SPD need Green’s support to reach the two-thirds of majority required by moderators for constitutional reform during consultations to form the government.
Green Leader Droge suggested that conservatives reach out to Die Linke (left).
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