Unharmonious Triumvirate Temporarily United: Union, SPD, and Greens Reach Agreement on Debt Package
EU and SPD reach accord on debt relief package
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link ** Union, SPD, and the Greens might soon secure a majority in the Bundestag for the proposed amendment to the debt brake. According to multiple sources, the trio has managed to find a common ground. As reported by NTV and RND, discussions are still ongoing, with key details yet to be finalized before the factions are briefed at 1:00 PM.**
In this precarious compromise, the 500 billion euro special fund earmarked for infrastructure investments seems to have received a revamp. The newly agreed terms suggest that these funds cannot be diverted towards ongoing projects or state expenses meant for consumption. Furthermore, a whopping 100 billion euros is designated for the Climate and Transformation Fund, which could potentially go towards expanding energy infrastructure.
Politics Green Politician Droge and Merz's Peculiar Dance: A Special Session in the Bundestag At the special session of the old Bundestag on Thursday, CDU leader Friedrich Merz and SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil reportedly offered 50 billion euros for the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF). Surprisingly, climate protection projects were unaccounted for when the idea of the special fund was initially pitched on March 4. However, the Greens steadfastly demanded the integration of climate protection measures and a guarantee that each credit euro allocated would be additional, serving to fund new investments, not finance any future tax incentives. Additionally, during prior negotiations, the Greens successfully ensured that future defense expenditures exempted from the debt brake could also be utilized for civil and population protection, as well as for intelligence services.
Politics Bizarre Special Session of Bundestag: A Game of Good Cop, Bad Cop with the Greens As per reports from RND, Union, SPD, and Greens negotiators remained in talks as late as early Friday morning following the special session of the old Bundestag on Thursday. The discussions resumed on Friday morning. When it became public knowledge on Friday morning that all three parties had convened their respective factions for special sessions, it was obvious that an announcement was imminent. Intriguingly, incoming federal chancellor Merz canceled his engagements with business representatives for Friday afternoon.
The constitutional amendments necessary for the exemption of defense expenditures from the debt brake, the infrastructure special fund, and the relaxation of the debt brake of federal states require a two-thirds majority. If CDU, CSU, SPD, and Greens vote in favor at the special session of the old Bundestag on Tuesday, this majority will be achieved. However, in the new Bundestag elected on February 23, the votes would fall short. A constitutional amendment would need the votes of the Left or the AfD, in addition to those of the triumvirate.
- CDU
- SPD
- Alliance 90/The Greens
- Debt Brake
- The Commission, asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, might find a connection in the ongoing discussions between factions of the Union, SPD, and Greens about the debt package.
- During the special session of the old Bundestag, the expenditures designated for the Climate and Transformation Fund were a point of contention, with the Greens offering a new approach early on Friday morning.
- In the upcoming special session of the old Bundestag, the Greens, alongside the Union and SPD, may find themselves in a position to offer their collective vote for the constitutional amendments related to defense expenditures, the infrastructure special fund, and the relaxation of the debt brake of federal states, just as they have agreed to do for ionizing radiation protection.
