Expanding Defense Spending Compromises Social Welfare in Saxony - Rearmament in Saxony: Social welfare system not compromised despite military expenditure increase
Germany, and its eastern state of Saxony, are witnessing a significant shift in military spending, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing no limits to rearmament since March 2025 [1][2]. This move comes in response to perceived security threats, particularly Russia's military build-up, and aims to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe [2].
The expansion of rearmament is unprecedented, with special funds for defense build-up over the next decade that are five times larger than previous increases. This includes a special fund of 500 billion euros aimed at rebuilding the country's infrastructure alongside defense spending [1][2]. However, this increase in military spending raises questions about its impact on the welfare state and social services.
In Saxony, the political landscape is complex, with a blocking minority held by the AfD and other fringe parties, which could influence state-level politics [1]. While there is no specific official stance from Saxony on welfare restructuring tied directly to rearmament, the broader context suggests rising tensions and political challenges in eastern German states where such parties are influential.
The Saxon BSW party, led by Sabine Zimmermann, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of increased military spending on the welfare state. Zimmermann finds it unfair and unacceptable that those who invest billions in weapons must cut back on essential services like pensions, care, and education [3]. The party advocates for investments in social services, such as care and education, rather than military spending [3].
Furthermore, Zimmermann interprets Chancellor Merz's statement as a potential restructuring of the welfare state due to increased military spending [3]. Merz suggested that the Russian attack on Ukraine has ended the era of the "peace dividend", possibly indicating a restructuring of the welfare state [3].
The Saxon BSW party also opposes the use of increased military spending to fund tax privileges for large companies and to finance social service cuts [3]. They fear that increased military spending may lead to a reduction in social services [3]. In Dresden, the Saxon BSW association has criticized the potential use of increased military spending to fund tax privileges for large companies [3].
Despite these concerns, investments in Saxony are prioritized for daycare centers, schools, care, and infrastructure, not for arms stocks or tax privileges for large companies [3]. The focus in Saxony remains on investments in social services, not military spending.
In summary, while Germany is undergoing a major increase in military spending driven by perceived security threats, there are concerns about the potential impact on the welfare state and social services. The Saxon BSW party, led by Sabine Zimmermann, has expressed opposition to the use of the welfare state as a counter-financing concept for rearmament, and has advocated for investments in social services instead. However, concrete restructuring plans have not been explicitly detailed in available sources.
- The Saxon BSW party, led by Sabine Zimmermann, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of increased military spending on the welfare state in EC countries, finding it unfair and unacceptable that funds meant for essential services like pensions, care, and education may be diverted to defense spending.
- As part of the policy-and-legislation debate surrounding the rise in military spending in Germany, the Saxon BSW party, led by Sabine Zimmermann, has criticized the potential use of increased military spending to finance social service cuts and tax privileges for large companies, advocating instead for investments in social services like care and education.
