Germany's Greens Challenge Merz's Push for Debt Brake Reform and Massive Spending

The incoming chancellor faces resistance from the Greens over constitutional changes to fund defense and infrastructure, with negotiations ongoing to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament.

• Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, is pushing for constitutional amendments to loosen borrowing limits and create a €500 billion infrastructure fund.
• The proposals aim to exempt defense spending from Germany's debt brake and address economic stagnation and growing security concerns in Europe.
• The Greens, whose support is crucial for the required two-thirds parliamentary majority, have rejected the plan in its current form, demanding greater focus on climate and social investments.
• Negotiations between Merz's CDU/CSU bloc, the SPD, and the Greens are ongoing, with some optimism expressed by leaders about reaching a compromise before the March 18 vote.
• Failure to pass the amendments in the current parliament could make future approval more difficult, as the newly elected Bundestag includes stronger opposition from far-right and left-wing parties.

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