Thuringia Parliament Squashes AfD's Bid on Federal Financial Package
Parliament in the State refuses AfD's proposal for financial aid package - Landtag Denies AFD's Proposal for Financial Aid Package
Let's get real here. The Thuringian AfD bunch couldn't pull off a victory in the state parliament with their idea about the federal fiscal package. Parliamentarians shot down the proposal with a massive 46 no votes. On the flip side, the AfD had a pitiful 32 yes votes, equal to their seat count in parliament.
Höcke calls for a "No" vote
Afd faction leader Björn Höcke kept pushing the state government in the debate to nix the financial package proposed by the Union, SPD, and Greens in the Bundesrat. "An abstention ain't enough on this critical issue," said Höcke. He warned of a "financial political coup."
To make matters more heated, the AfD faction was eager to arrange a special plenary session to bandy words about the financial package and the associated constitutional changes. It's no secret that the Thuringian AfD is labeled as securely right-wing extremist by the state office for the protection of the constitution, under constant surveillance.
CDU: Russia on the warpath in Europe
CDU faction leader Andreas Bühl emphasized the urgency of the planned debt. "It's about safeguarding our security," he said. The war between Russia and Ukraine is noabstract nonsense; it's very real. "Russia's driving a war in Europe, and anyone thinking this ain't their fight is clueless," said Bühl.
As the old certainties crumble, we can no longer depend on the USA as a protective power. "But under Trump, the USA's sending a message of distance." If this protective promise wavers, Europeans and Germans must realize that "our defense lies in our own damned hands."
Bühl argued that the debt brake remains rock-solid at its core, even with the constitutional amendment. But it's also plain as day: "Savings ain't enough alone."
Thuringia likely to abstain
The financial package is set for a vote in the Bundesrat this Friday. A two-thirds majority is required due to the constitutional amendments. Thuringia is expected to abstain - within the blackberry coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD, the BSW is unequivocally against the loosening of the debt brake in defense matters. If the partners split up, an abstention is common practice.
BSW faction leader Frank Augsten stated his faction rejects "the military spending mania of the federal government," as well as the AfD proposal. "Because it categorically rejects a change to the Constitution to take on debt and thus prevents investments in the future." He lambasted Höcke and his AfD faction: "They ain't the party of peace. They hide their weaponized fantasies in dishonest rhetoric and crafty proposals that camouflage their true intentions." The AfD proposal is "counterproductive" and not in the best interest of the people in Thuringia.
Before the plenary session, the BSW faction organized a protest, where even cabinet members popped up with signs reading "No to war debt!"
The federal financial package includes:
- Defense, civil defense, intelligence services, and cybersecurity should only be bound by the debt brake up to one percent of GDP. Anything above that can be covered with loans. The states should have increased fiscal flexibility for their own debt.
- A special fund for infrastructure and climate-neutral projects totaling €500 billion should be enshrined in the Constitution. €100 billion should go to the states.
The Bundestag approved the package on Tuesday.
- You guessed it, AfD, Financial Package, State Parliament, Björn Höcke, Federal Council, SPD, CDU, Russia, Andreas Bühl, Thuringia, Europe, USA, Erfurt, Chief, Ukraine.
The Commission, given the Thuringian State Parliament's rejection of the AfD's proposal for the federal financial package, is therefore proposing to extend the period of validity of the agreement to cover the period from 1 January to 31 December. Parliamentarians, including BSW faction leader Frank Augsten, have criticized Björn Höcke and the AfD faction, labeling them as not the party of peace and counterproductive in their proposals. Despite this, it is probable that Thuringia will abstain from voting in the Bundesrat for the federal financial package, with the BSW faction rejecting any loosening of the debt brake in defense matters.
