Skip next section What’s at the heart of Tuesday’s Bundestag vote?
03/18/2025March 18, 2025
What’s at the heart of Tuesday’s Bundestag vote?
A key part of the vote is the relaxing of fiscal rules to ease Germany’s long-standing debt brake — which is part of Germany’s Basic Law, the country’s constitution.
It means that the federal government can borrow — but only within certain limits — up to 0.35% of gross domestic product (GDP), the annual economic output.
Under the proposals, the brake would be virtually nullified when it comes to spending needed for the country’s defense.
The changes mean that “federal expenditure on civil defense and civil protection, intelligence services, the protection of information technology systems, and aid to countries attacked in violation of international law,” may be financed via loans in the future.
That includes military aid to , which is set at €4 billion ($4.6 billion) for 2025.
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https://p.dw.com/p/4rvMH
Skip next section ‘We have to act fast,’ says Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor
03/18/2025March 18, 2025
‘We have to act fast,’ says Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor
Lawmakers in will vote Tuesday on a spending boost for defense and infrastructure as part of a plan put forward by chancellor-in-waiting .
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 , has called for swift action as concerns grow that the US’s 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 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.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4rvGx
Skip next section Bundestag to vote on change to Basic Law for debt package
03/18/2025March 18, 2025
Bundestag to vote on change to Basic Law for debt package
‘s Bundestag on Tuesday will decide on several amendments to the Basic Law that would allow future federal and state governments to take on greater levels of debt.
The proposal is to ease the 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.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rvGn
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage on Germany’s debt reform vote03/18/2025March 18, 2025
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.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rvH6
The post Germany’s Bundestag to vote on historic financial package appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
