A huge financial package, thanks to which Germany intends to invest billions in defense and infrastructure through new debt, can now come into force. According to the German President's office, the day after the Bundesrat approved by the Bundesrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed the amendment to the Basic Law. Now you only need to publish it in the federal Journal of Laws.
As on Tuesday in the Bundestag, also on Friday the necessary majority of two -thirds of votes to change art. 109, 115 and 143 of the Basic Law. At 53 out of 69 votes for, support was much greater than it would be necessary. 512 votes were cast in the Bundestag and 206 against, which also exceeded the required majority of two -thirds of the votes.
CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens agreed on the plan after many days of dispute. The Greens were needed to obtain a two -thirds in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Karlsruhe is moving several lawsuits
Steinmeier checked whether the law was adopted in accordance with the Constitution. Because the Federal Constitutional Tribunal in Karlsruhe dealt with this issue in several previous proceedings, it was considered relatively certain that it would be finalized.
The act soothes the so -called Debt brake saved in the Basic Law, which establishes strict limits of new federal debt for defense expenses, population protection, intelligence services and cybersecurity.
In the future, loans may be taken for all such expenses, which exceed one percent of the gross domestic product. This year it will be around EUR 44 billion.
In addition, a special fund will be created, for which the debt brake will not be used and which will be powered by loans of up to EUR 500 billion. These funds will be used to repair German infrastructure. EUR 100 billion is to be sent to trade union countries represented in the Bundesrat. Another EUR 100 billion is to be allocated to climate protection and climate -friendly restructuring of the economy.
(DPA/JAR)