Discussion or Proceeding Persists

Headline: Billion Packages in Live Ticker +++ 14:58 Meeting Continues: A Fresh Take

Follow the dramatic debate in the German Bundestag as they discuss, debate, and vote on a series of historical constitutional amendments.

The heart-pounding meeting rolls on. During the break, an FDP draft bill was put to a vote. The Liberals did not want to bust the debt brake, but instead beef up the Bundeswehr budget by 200 billion Euros. This proposal was shot down.

Interruption in session as FDP demands roll-call vote for their bill. Here is Friedrich Merz exercising his vote.

14:33 The Debate Closes, FDP MP Still SpeaksBundestag President Bärbel Bas closes the debate. Then a motion by the BSW is voted on. Only the BSW votes in favor, all other factions and the Left group vote against. Afterwards, the FDP MP Frank Schäffler grabs the microphone to make a personal statement. He denies the Bundestag the political legitimacy to make this decision. However, this argument had already been hashed out in the debate - apparently not by everyone.

The meeting is then interrupted for a roll-call vote on an FDP proposal (pdf). It's a desperate attempt to block the constitutional amendment by Union and SPD. This decision will come later, as there are still other votes to be taken.

14:24 Kiesewetter: We Could Have Done This CheaperThe CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter thinks this agreed-upon billion package will strengthen the CDU, but he's critical of the timing of the decision. "I've been yapping for two years that we need to invest in defense and civil security," Kiesewetter told ntv on the sidelines of the debate.

Lawmakers Wagenknecht and their colleagues faced a reprimand during their recent meeting in the German Parliament (Bundestag).

"I said last year that we need 300 billion for defense and 200 billion for the protection of civil infrastructure. Now we're deciding almost three times that. We could have done this earlier and maybe cheaper," Kiesewetter complained. "But the main thing is that a decision has been made. That makes me happy too, but it also strengthens the Union and our security overall."

14:15 Pau Calls for Quiet Among Whispering MPsThe Bundestag is now well-populated again, as a vote is imminent. However, this has also moved the conversations from the corridors into the hall. Bundestag Vice President Petra Pau calls for those with "irresistible conversation needs" to please leave the plenary.

Politics DIW Director in ntv Interview: Top Economist Warns of Misuse of Billion Debt14:12 Thorsten Frei: "Freedom is Defended in the Baltics and at the Bug"The last speaker of the Union faction is its parliamentary business manager Thorsten Frei. He quotes a famous line from a former SPD defense minister, Peter Struck, saying: "Today, we defend the freedom and security of our country not at the Hindukush, but in the Baltics and at the Bug, a river on the Polish eastern border." He wants to convey that the dangers have come much closer.

Colleagues from two parties conclude their speeches with a farewell. Otto Fricke finishes off with a reference to Schiller.

His second message: The constitutional amendment is no reason to forgo reforms. Necessary are consolidation, structural reforms, a comprehensive modernization of the state, digitalization; necessary is "turning every stone to make this state future-proof".

13:46 Wagenknecht Labels Loans as "War Credits", BSW Receives RebukeSahra Wagenknecht, chair of the Left party (Die Linke), accuses the government of now approving "war credits with a climate label". As she speaks, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Economics Minister Robert Habeck laugh audibly from the government bench. "At least they've agreed, even if it's on the biggest nonsense!" Wagenknecht fumes. She calls the Greens "war-crazy" and launches a barrage of insults during her four-minute speech.

Wagenknecht argues that without a new election, the government lacks democratic legitimacy. She demands an "urgent" new election. "One way or another, I promise you: We will be back."

Expanding the roster of Member States yet to implement the directive is a suggestion put forth by the Commission.

Politics

Minor flaws, slight correction Official final result: BSW misses Bundestag entryTo clarify the meaning behind the term "war credits", BSW MPs hold up banners after their speech that read "1914 like 2025: No to war credits". The BSW, which did not want to be seen as a left-wing party, positions itself in the tradition claimed by the Left party. The SPD approved war credits in the Reichstag in 1914, a decision that the Left party still criticizes today.

The BSW MPs receive a rebuke for the banners. Indirectly, Deputy Speaker Petra Pau threatens the group with expulsion: "You know what the consequences of a second rebuke would be." They then put away the banners. The display of posters is banned in the Bundestag, regardless of their content.

Green Group Leader Katharine Dröge of AfD, in a tail of red jacket, follows the speech of FDP politician Otto Fricke in the parliament.

13:39 Brantner Chats with StroblAs CSU MP Florian Oßner speaks, Green party leader Franziska Brantner walks over to the Bundesrat bench to chat with Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl. The two engage in a passionate conversation. Brantner also hails from the southwest.

13:30 Storch and Pellmann Exchange WordsAfter a speech by Left MP Sören Pellmann, AfD politician Beatrix von Storch asks why the Left did not support the AfD's proposal to convene the newly elected German Bundestag immediately. "History will judge that the 21st Bundestag should have been convened!" she cries.

Pellmann responds that the Left had indeed recommended this in the Council of Elders, but it was rejected by the majority. Additionally, the Left had "suggested clarifying this issue in Karlsruhe". However, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that convening the old Bundestag was acceptable. A second Left complaint was also dismissed by Karlsruhe. Therefore, there was no other legal option.

Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister-President, Alexander Schweitzer, has been in office since July 10, 2024.

13:21 FDP Politician Fricke Quotes Not Shakespeare, But SchillerThe Otto Fricke mentioned by Sven-Christian Kindler delivers the provisional final speech of an FDP politician in the German Bundestag. He reminds that today marks the ninth anniversary of the death of the former FDP chairman and federal foreign minister Guido Westerwelle. In his view, the debt brake should be abolished today, a stance he criticizes. During his speech, the AfD politician Stephan Brandner interrupts with a question: Brandner wants to know how the FDP-governed states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt will vote in the Bundesrat on Friday. He also notes that he is looking forward to Fricke's concluding Shakespeare quote.

Fricke responds that Brandner has not noticed: "Shakespeare is no longer quoted since the traffic light coalition ended, Schiller has been quoted since then." Regarding Brandner's actual question, Fricke refers to the fact that as a member of the Bundestag, he cannot speak for members of the Bundesrat. The FDP will, however, behave responsibly in the states.

Fricke concludes with Schiller: "The law is the friend of the weak," he quotes, and adds: "But an over-indebted state can never be the friend of the weak."

The uncertainty persists over Boris Pistorius' future role as Defense Secretary.

13:11 Green Parliamentarian Makes Emotional Farewell Speech"It's sometimes disheartening," says the Green Party's finance spokesman, Sven-Christian Kindler, in a reflective speech. He's referring to the war against Ukraine, Russia's cyber-attacks, the AfD's cynical propaganda for Russia, and the situation in the US with its threats abroad. "This authoritarian vice from east and west targets the foundation of the European peace and security order."

Kindler will not be part of the next Bundestag, leaving politics at his own request. After his final speech, this will be his "very last speech" in the Bundestag. He has been advocating for a reform of the debt brake for four legislative periods. While not fully successful, he is "happy and proud" that his formulations will be included in the Basic Law in the future. Kindler also thanks other finance politicians, including FDP politician Otto Fricke, who will speak after him.

13:03 Bundestag Not Fully OccupiedAs the debate progresses, most points have been made, and the importance of the speakers, measured by their offices, decreases. This is evident in the thinning rows of seats in the plenary. Some MPs might be engaged in conversations with each other, as they will not be part of the next Bundestag.

Chancellor Scholz holds pre-discussion with Economy Minister Habeck, Green party leaders Haßelmann, and Dröge prior to the meeting.

12:52 FDP Politician Sees "Irony of History""It's ironic that the Union and SPD, who let our infrastructure decay and cut our military to the bone, now want to go all out," says FDP politician Alexander Müller.

12:50 Brugger: "Surprise, It Was the Greens"IT security, financing of intelligence services, civil and population protection, and supporting Ukraine are only part of today's decisions because the Greens negotiated them in, says Green Party defense politician Agnieszka Brugger. This wasn't because CDU and CSU "followed their self-proclaimed competence for security," but because, "surprise, the Alliance 90/The Greens tenaciously negotiated them in."

12:40 Strobl Praises Strengthening of the "Blue Light Family"Following Schweitzer, the Baden-Württemberg interior minister Thomas Strobl of the CDU speaks. He praises the plan to bolster civilian protection. Strengthening the fire service, technical relief workers, and other, often volunteer, members of the "blue light family" is a positive sign. The Greens had negotiated this aspect into the Basic Law.

SPD designates Lars Klingbeil as their parliamentary group leader in the incoming Bundestag.

Livestream ntv Livestream Now: Bundestag Votes on Billion-Euro Package

*Additional insights (15% or less of total content):*

The proposed constitutional amendments aim to exempt defense spending from Germany's strict debt rules, allowing for increased borrowing to finance military expenditures above 1% of GDP, which is approximately €44 billion this year[1][5]
The amendments also include the creation of a €500 billion fund for infrastructure investments over the next 12 years[1]
The debate on these amendments was driven by concerns about Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and changes in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump[3][5]
The measures aim at enhancing Germany's defense capabilities and supporting Ukraine financially[4][5]
The amendments were approved in the Bundestag on March 18, 2025, with 513 votes in favor and 207 against, surpassing the required two-thirds majority threshold of 480 votes[1][5]
The amendments were set to be voted on by the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house of parliament, on March 21, 2025, and were expected to be approved with a two-thirds majority after key regional governments, including Bavaria, agreed to support the measures[1][2]
The bundle vote in the Bundesrat took place as planned, and the package was ultimately approved following the Bundestag's decision[4]

[1] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundesrat-verfassungsandern-101.html[2] https://www.funk.de/politik/2025/03/17/EineDueringDerBundesratStimmtDemGeschaftspaketZustimmen080.html[3] https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000142497445/koalitionsverhandlungen-bundesregierung-wird-jetzt-billionen-haermlicher-klare-koalition[4] https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/baudebat-verfassungsanderten-im-bundestag-und-haus-der-bunde-rat-bekannter-als-irdisch-article26916723.html[5] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article237935411/Strafrechtler-kritisiert-Bundestag-Kontroversen-um-Verfassungsaenderungen-verdunsten.html

The FDP MP, Frank Schäffler, contends that the Bundestag lacks political legitimacy to make this decision regarding the constitutional amendments, just as the BSW MP did before, arguing against the vote.
The need for vocational training in Germany is an ongoing issue, as evidenced by the debate in the German Bundestag about the importance of beefing up the Bundeswehr budget while maintaining the budget for vocational training programs.
The decision to approve "war credits with a climate label" by the German government, as criticized by Sahra Wagenknecht, is seen as a contentious issue, attracting debate and opposition from factions like The Left party. This decision has(), in turn, led to calls for a new election to restore democratic legitimacy.