Archive: https://archive.is/20250304200800/https://www.ft.com/content/316ef73e-cf54-4d38-af5b-7166c684a13a
A provision would exempt defence spending above 1 per cent of GDP from the debt brake rules, allowing Germany to boost spending on its armed forces by an unlimited amount at a time when Europe faces the prospect of losing US guarantees that have underpinned its security since Donald Trump began his second presidential term.
The future coalition partners will introduce another constitutional amendment to set up a €500bn fund for infrastructure, which would run over 10 years. They are also planning to loosen debt rules for states.
It is so disgusting that Merz deliberately prevented this with pleasure when the traffic light coalition was still in power.
Let me explain: Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) intentionally blocked certain policies uring the time when the “traffic light” coalition (SPD, Greens, and FDP) were in power in Germany. Merz was not just passively opposing these actions, but did so with a sense for political reasons.
Im german and I know he is an asshole.
We need an arena so we can throw in Putin, Trump, Merz and other trash politicians and rich idiots so we can finally just live in peace.
Im sure during new year 2019 to 2020 a rocket hit me somewhere and launched me to a dystopian timeline I shouldnt even be here. I didn’t deserve to be watching this mess unfold. Why am I here?
The traffic light coalition, or at least the remaining red-green part of it, is still in power. The new Bundestag is elected but has not constituted yet. Merz now tries to use the majorities of the parting Bundestag and government to secure funds for his time in office, but his proposal will have the next governments run into pretty much the same problems again.