Overview

• Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Freie Wähler party, publicly justified his decision to support the constitutional amendment enabling a multi-billion euro financial package.
• Aiwanger stated that opposing the package would have led to his dismissal as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Bavaria, with SPD politicians potentially replacing Freie Wähler in the cabinet.
• He emphasized that Bavaria's support for the package in the Bundesrat was inevitable and that ensuring the effective use of funds was a better outcome than risking failure.
• The Bundestag has already approved the amendment, and a two-thirds majority in the Bundesrat is expected to be secured with Bavaria's six votes during the vote on Friday, March 21, 2025.
• The Freie Wähler party initially expressed significant reservations but reached an agreement with the CSU on Monday, March 17, 2025, to back the package after negotiations.