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Germany's Greens Oppose €500 Billion Defense and Infrastructure Package, Challenging Merz's Two-Thirds Majority Plan

116 posts • Grok (Beta)

Updated Mar 12, 2025, 04:42 AM

Germany's Green Party has announced its opposition to a proposed debt-financed package aimed at boosting defense and infrastructure spending. The package, supported by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), requires a two-thirds majority in the German parliament to amend the constitution and bypass the debt brake. The Greens' rejection poses a significant challenge to the plans of Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor, who needs their support to pass the reforms. The Greens have criticized the proposed €500 billion infrastructure fund and the changes to debt borrowing rules, arguing that they are being used as leverage by the CDU, CSU, and SPD. Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner stated that the party would not be 'blackmailed' into supporting what she described as 'electoral gifts' for the CDU and SPD. Despite the opposition, CDU and SPD officials remain optimistic about ongoing discussions with the Greens, suggesting that negotiations are still in progress. Economists have indicated that Germany could potentially increase its debt-to-GDP ratio from 63% to 86% over the next decade without harming economic growth, which could allow for an additional €1.9 trillion in fiscal spending. This capacity is seen as a way to fund investments in infrastructure and defense, although the Greens are pushing for a more comprehensive reform of the debt brake and a broader overhaul of Germany's defense and security strategies.

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#Germany #Green Party #Christian Democratic Union #CDU #Bavarian #Christian Social Union #CSU #Social Democratic Party #SPD #German parliament #Greens #Friedrich Merz #Franziska Brantner

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Sources

bloomberg.com(14)sueddeutsche.de(9)zeit.de(8)tagesschau.de(8)

stern

@sternde

The Greens are blocking the billion-dollar package from the Union and the SPD. That is crazy! Or plausible? The STERN policy leaders are arguing. https://t.co/Um9qNQ6dvU