Merz surprised: Union shakes debt brake turn!

Merz surprised: Union shakes debt brake turn!

Friedrich Merz, the Union's candidate for Chancellor, is surprisingly open to new debts and a reform of the debt brake. This turn comes in a context in which Merz strictly rejected an increase in debt in the election campaign. Despite the approaching termination of the current legislative period, he plans to talk to the existing Bundestag about these topics even before the Bundestag election. The urgency results from the impending blocking minority of the Left Party and AfD in the new parliament, which could make a change in the Basic Law a lot more difficult, such as ln online reported.

The discussion about higher defense spending is considered the central concern by experts. It is estimated that around 300 billion euros are required to finance the necessary increases. The existing Bundeswehr special assets of 100 billion euros are almost used up, which also complicated the situation. In the past, Merz had rejected talks with the SPD and the Greens to the defense budget for election tactical reasons. This change of course raises questions regarding his credibility, since the SPD has accused him of having broken an election promise, such as "https://www.n-tv.de/politik/was-im-wahlstuffe-und-was-jetzt-article2589350.html"> n-tv

reactions of the political competitors

The change in opinion of Merz ’found remarkable echo not only in his own party, but also on the part of the political competitors. SPD boss Lars Klingbeil expressed a positive statement about the fast turning turn, while the outgoing SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich reacted angrily. Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply criticized Merz and emphasized that higher defense spending was only possible with a reform of the debt brake. Merz rejected these allegations and relied on the potential of a growing economy, insisting Adamant that savings and growth had priority.

CSU boss Markus Söder cautiously commented on the reform of the debt brake and pointed out that all arguments should be examined thoroughly. Although he recognizes that there were arguments for a reform, the question of legitimation also sees as crucial after elections have already taken place. Defense policy remains a central point of dispute between the parties, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in particular demanding an exception to the debt brake for the Bundeswehr in order to double the defense budget to over 100 billion euros.

public opinion on debt brake

The debate about the debt brake has also found a response among the population. According to a survey, 49 percent of Germans support this regulation. Such a softening among the voters of the Greens (65%), the SPD (64%) and the left (60%) finds special support. There is also considerable approval among the supporters of the Union, which is 56 percent. In contrast, there are significant rejections among the AfD voters, 49 percent of whom are against loosening, while FDP supporters in a similar survey expressed 59 percent against the softening of the debt brake, such as reported.