(de-news.net) – The Bundestag convened for a special session on Thursday to deliberate on a proposed debt acquisition proposed by the CDU/CSU and SPD, aimed at defense and infrastructure. The debate was marked by controversy and emotional exchanges on the sense and size of the financial package. What is more, a heated procedural debate unfolded among party representatives on the competence of the current Bundestag.
CDU leader Merz emphasized the urgency of addressing Europe’s precarious security situation, advocating increased defense spending and economic competitiveness. He also proposed integrating climate protection investments into the infrastructure fund and extending the debt brake relaxation to civil protection. He acknowledged the financial constraints and suggested potential adjustments to the package, asserting that failure was not an option and urging the political center to provide decisive solutions.
SPD leader Klingbeil highlighted Germany’s need to assume a leadership role in European security, citing the instability of the international post-war order. He assured the Greens that the loans would be strictly utilized for investments.
On the other hand, Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in negotiations with the CDU/CSU and SPD on their debt plans. She emphasized the need for the infrastructure fund to focus on future-oriented investments rather than political concessions, also criticizing the current draft for its lack of provisions for climate neutrality. Sven-Christian Kindler, the Greens’ budgetary spokesperson, dismissed the CDU/CSU and SPD’s offer of 50 billion euros for climate protection over the course of 12 years as insufficient, advocating for substantial and sustained funding to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. He called for a reform of the debt brake to ensure adequate financing.
Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU and SPD proposed amendments to the debt brake reform, allowing allocations from the infrastructure fund to the Climate and Transformation Fund, which had also been designated to finance non-climate-related expenditures as well.
Jens Spahn, Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, urged the Greens to reach an agreement with the CDU/CSU and SPD on the proposed debt packages. He emphasized the geopolitical stakes with a view on the security of Germany and Europe. Spahn highlighted the necessity of the security package proposed by the potential CDU/CSU-SPD coalition and called for constructive negotiations among all three factions. Spahn acknowledged the need for compromises, commending the Greens for their valid proposals and expressing confidence in their shared commitment.
The FDP voiced concerns, with Johannes Vogel criticizing CDU leader Friedrich Merz for policy inconsistencies. The Left Party expressed outrage, having, as had the AfD, filed a constitutional complaint in Karlsruhe, opposing the decision to address the package in the outgoing Bundestag, where the CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens still hold a two-thirds majority. AfD’s Bernd Baumann uttered procedural criticism.
On her part, SPD’s Katja Mast defended the session, citing the current Bundestag’s full authority until the new parliament convenes, emphasizing urgency. Similarly, CDU’s Thorsten Frei stressed adherence to procedural rules and the necessity for swift action.
