Merz's Financial Package Faces Uncertainty Over Bavarian Support in Bundesrat
The massive financial package for defense, infrastructure, and climate action hinges on securing a two-thirds majority, with Bavaria's coalition divided on approval.
- The proposed financial package, requiring constitutional amendments, includes €500 billion in new investments and loosens Germany's debt restrictions for defense, infrastructure, and climate neutrality goals.
- The Bundesrat vote on Friday is critical, as 46 of 69 votes are needed to pass the package, with Bavaria's six votes potentially decisive.
- Bavaria's ruling coalition of CSU and Freie Wähler is divided, prompting a special meeting on Monday to resolve differences; failure to align could lead to abstention, equivalent to rejection.
- The SPD in Bavaria has offered to support the package if the CSU forms a new coalition with them, raising political stakes for Minister-President Markus Söder.
- Friedrich Merz, likely to become chancellor, remains optimistic about securing approval, emphasizing the package's importance for Germany's future investments and climate goals.
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