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German Parliament Divided Over Defense and Infrastructure Debt Plan

Union and SPD push for constitutional amendments to fund a €500 billion infrastructure package and increased defense spending, facing resistance from the Greens and legal challenges.

  • Union and SPD propose a €500 billion infrastructure fund and defense spending beyond 1% of GDP, requiring constitutional changes and a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
  • The Greens oppose the package, citing insufficient focus on climate goals and concerns over its temporary nature and potential misuse for non-investment purposes.
  • Legal challenges from AfD, Left Party, and BSW argue that the outgoing Bundestag lacks legitimacy to decide on such significant measures with a new parliament elected.
  • The FDP also rejects the plan, offering an alternative focused on expanding the existing Bundeswehr fund and opposing the infrastructure debt package.
  • Public opinion largely supports the measures, with 76% favoring infrastructure investments and 71% backing increased defense spending, but political consensus remains elusive.
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