Overview

• Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, is pushing for a €500 billion infrastructure fund and increased defence spending through constitutional amendments.
• The proposed changes would loosen Germany's strict debt brake rules, exempting certain defence expenditures from borrowing limits.
• The CDU/CSU and SPD coalition needs support from the Greens to achieve the two-thirds parliamentary majority required for constitutional changes.
• The Greens have expressed concerns, demanding greater investment in climate protection and accusing Merz of prioritizing other political goals.
• A vote on the proposals is expected next Tuesday, with legal challenges from far-right and far-left parties adding further uncertainty to the outcome.