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Germany’s Green Party has railed against the plans of incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz who wants to spend hundreds of billions of euros on the military and infrastructure. Merz, of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), won his party a landslide victory in February’s elections. He is now advocating that Germany relax its strict borrowing limits, known as the “debt brake,” to free up more spending on national security. His proposal comes as Germany’s economy falters, and Europe faces security challenges raised by U.S. President Donald Trump’s relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But the Greens have made it clear they won’t support his plan. Franziska Brantner, co-leader of the Green Party, categorically dismissed the plan, saying it “won’t let Friedrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil [the head of the Social Democratic Party] exploit the current security crisis in Europe for their purposes.” She added that the proposal did not serve Germany’s best interest.
Merz would like to make defence spending exempt from this rule, so that there would be no limit to military funding. His proposal includes adjusted spending plans that could allow Germany’s federal and local governments to spend more freely.
Because the Green Party has numerous seats in parliament, Merz must have their acquiescence to enact these constitutional changes. But the Green leader, Katharina Droege, has condemned his plan, adding, “If you want more investment, we must also ensure this goes hand in hand with climate protection and economic growth.”
The AFD has also lodged a legal complaint with Germany’s constitutional court to prevent Merz from implementing these reforms before the new parliament is installed.
Although the Greens have proposed changing Germany’s borrowing rules, they contend that Merz’s plan does not respond to the country’s real financial needs. Instead, they say the CDU and SPD are intending to create a “treasure chest” to finance their own political priorities, including tax cuts.
“The CDU and SPD are trying to bribe us into cooperation with their agenda,” Banaszak said. “The aim must be to seek a balanced solution that serves the interests of all Germans.”
“For my discussions with the Greens, it was not a surprise we didn’t find common ground. But we need to continue to have confidential talks to come up with a solution,” Klingbeil said.
To support the debt-brake reform,” said Finance Minister Joerg Kukies, who also acknowledged the Greens’ concerns.
Green leader Droege proposed that Merz should negotiate with Die Linke to improve his prospects. The left-wing party will consider reforming borrowing rules for this war but is wary of military spending.
If Merz’s CDU and the SPD are to have the votes they need, they must act quickly. But the constitutional amendment must be passed without the Greens, the AFD, and Die Linke — a mammoth challenge.
No Constitutional Change for Greens
Mr Merz’s proposal includes a record 500-billion-euro ($542bn) fund for infrastructure and defence spending. To do these things, he has to amend Germany’s constitution, which also requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag (parliament). That means he has to woo the Greens and other parties.But the Greens have made it clear they won’t support his plan. Franziska Brantner, co-leader of the Green Party, categorically dismissed the plan, saying it “won’t let Friedrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil [the head of the Social Democratic Party] exploit the current security crisis in Europe for their purposes.” She added that the proposal did not serve Germany’s best interest.
The Debt Brake Debate
Germany’s “debt brake” law was enacted in 2009 under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. It restricts new government borrowing to only 0.35% of the national economy.Merz would like to make defence spending exempt from this rule, so that there would be no limit to military funding. His proposal includes adjusted spending plans that could allow Germany’s federal and local governments to spend more freely.
Because the Green Party has numerous seats in parliament, Merz must have their acquiescence to enact these constitutional changes. But the Green leader, Katharina Droege, has condemned his plan, adding, “If you want more investment, we must also ensure this goes hand in hand with climate protection and economic growth.”
A Race Against Time
Because the new parliament, which starts at the end of the month, will have more opposition through the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) and left-wing Die Linke, Merz is trying to rush all these changes. Collectively, those parties will command more than a third of seats enough to halt the proposal.The AFD has also lodged a legal complaint with Germany’s constitutional court to prevent Merz from implementing these reforms before the new parliament is installed.
Although the Greens have proposed changing Germany’s borrowing rules, they contend that Merz’s plan does not respond to the country’s real financial needs. Instead, they say the CDU and SPD are intending to create a “treasure chest” to finance their own political priorities, including tax cuts.
The Greens’ Alternative Plan
Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszak said his party is working on its own proposal for security and defence spending. Bärbock stressed that the Greens are willing to discuss defence spending, but will not be cowed into supporting Merz’s plan.“The CDU and SPD are trying to bribe us into cooperation with their agenda,” Banaszak said. “The aim must be to seek a balanced solution that serves the interests of all Germans.”
SPD’s Response
The SPD’s leader, Lars Klingbeil, addressed the Greens’ refusal by saying that their concerns might be taken seriously. He said there was no deal yet, but hoped to continue talks.“For my discussions with the Greens, it was not a surprise we didn’t find common ground. But we need to continue to have confidential talks to come up with a solution,” Klingbeil said.
To support the debt-brake reform,” said Finance Minister Joerg Kukies, who also acknowledged the Greens’ concerns.
Next Steps
The Bundestag will hold its first debate on Merz’s proposal on Thursday, followed by a final vote on March 18. Should Merz not manage to grabb sufficient amount of votes, there is all likelihood that his proposal will be nipped in the next parliament.Green leader Droege proposed that Merz should negotiate with Die Linke to improve his prospects. The left-wing party will consider reforming borrowing rules for this war but is wary of military spending.
If Merz’s CDU and the SPD are to have the votes they need, they must act quickly. But the constitutional amendment must be passed without the Greens, the AFD, and Die Linke — a mammoth challenge.
