On Tuesday, members of the German federal parliament (Bundestag) voted on a controversial €500 billion spending package aimed at revitalizing infrastructure, advancing climate initiatives, and strengthening defense.
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The proposal, supported by the parliamentary groups of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Green Party, includes raising borrowing limits to establish a special fund for infrastructure and climate protection, along with removing debt restrictions imposed on defense, civil protection, intelligence agencies, and cybersecurity.
Approval of the package requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag — a constitutional threshold necessary to ease Germany’s strict borrowing laws.
Efforts to obstruct the vote were unsuccessful on Monday evening when the German Constitutional Court rejected urgent motions filed by members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Left Party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the populist “Alliance for Sara Wagenknecht.”
If the Bundestag approves the package, it will also need the approval of the Bundesrat (Federal Council) on Friday to come into effect. The outgoing Bundestag is meeting today for this crucial vote, while the newly elected parliament will convene next week.
The Green Party, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed its expectation that a large majority of its members will support the massive bailout package for infrastructure and the legislation to ease the constitutional debt limits for spending on defense and other areas.
The Green Party's support is crucial for passing the legislation, as a two-thirds majority is needed for the constitutional changes.
Before the discussion in the Bundestag, parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann stated that one person would vote against the legislation, while four deputies are sick, meaning it is likely that 112 members will vote in favor of the legislation.
