On Friday, the Federation Council voted a change in the German constitution, abolishing the limit of defense and security expenditure, as well as opening the way to larger investments in infrastructure.
53 out of 69 members of the Federation Council (Bundesrat) voted for the amendment to the Basic Law. The required majority of two -thirds were 46 votes. The Bundesrat is a representation of 16 trade union countries (Lands), forming the Federal Republic of Germany. Depending on the number of inhabitants, each Land has three to six votes in this body.
“Historical signal to Europe”
“Historical times require historical decisions,” said Bavaria Prime Minister Markus Soeder in the debate before voting.
In his opinion, the present times are more dangerous than the period of the Cold War. Soeder drew attention to the threat from the aggressive side Russia and unpredictability USA After taking over power by Donald Trump.
– This is a historic signal to Europe. We are ready to face challenges – emphasized the prime minister of the country Saar Anke Rehlinger, currently holding the function of chairwoman of the Bundesrat.
Germany reforms the “debt brake”. “Turn”
The Federal Parliament (Bundestag) adopted a law on Tuesday by CDU/CSU I SPDreforming “debt brake” recorded in the Basic Act (German constitution), prohibiting increasing budget deficit above 0.35 percent GDP.
This is an important event in times restless for Europe – the media commented. “The budget brake was the main reason why German legislators spent relatively little on their army for decades. German politicians were convinced that the United States would continue to protect their country, as they did from the end of World War II,” New York Times noted.
“CDU/CSU, SPD and Green adopted in the Bundestag an amendment to the Basic Law, which a few weeks ago seemed unthinkable and which will change the political situation in Germany forever,” commented “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. He added that “this is a breakthrough that Olaf Scholz He announced three years ago, and which Friedrich Merz currently translates into a specific policy. “
In turn, the BBC portal commented that “this is a historic moment for the traditionally reluctant to debt Germany. It can be of great importance for Europe.”
The introduced changes provide that expenses for the army, civil defense, services and cyber securityexceeding 1 percent GDP will not be subject to budget restrictions, and it will be possible to take out loans to finance them.
The “financial package” also provides for the creation of a special fund for the reconstruction of infrastructure and a climate protection of EUR 500 billion. The authorities of German union countries (Lands) also received a larger field of maneuver in financial policy.
Agreement on changes in the Constitution
CDU and CSU Christian parties with the candidate for chancellor Friedrich Mierz won parliamentary elections on February 23, but the obtained result of 28.5 percent. It does not allow them to create a government. That is why Christian Democrats have undertaken negotiations with SPD, which won 16.4 percent.
The change of the constitution was developed by both political blocks, and voting in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat were the first serious test for the future coalition. According to experts, budget expenditure enabled by changing the constitution may exceed EUR 1 trillion.
Chades and social democrats sought to adopt changes in the constitution before the constitution of the new parliament, which is to gather on March 25. In the new Bundestag, selected on February 23, from outside the democratic center – AFD and the left, against the constitution, they have a blocking minority.
As announced by Merza, the new German government is to be built before Easter falling this year on April 20.
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/FILIP SINGER