Billions of financial package: Union, SPD and Greens agree

The Union and SPD financial package, which had half a trillion euro euro financial package, now also finds the approval of the Greens. According to CDU boss Friedrich Merz, 100 instead of the planned 50 billion euros of the financial package should flow into climate protection. Merz described the agreement with the SPD and the Greens as a good result. The clear message of friends and enemies in the world will send that in the future there will no longer be missing from the financial means to defend freedom and peace, said the CDU chairman after a faction session in Berlin. “Germany is back.” The package was unanimously approved by the Union faction.

Merz made it clear that despite the planned major debt admission, European debt rules should be observed. He also pointed out the need for savings in the household, about which the coalition negotiations between the Union and the SPD should be discussed.

The incumbent Bundestag could decide on the package next Tuesday, but after that, however, approval with two thirds of the votes is also necessary in the Federal Council. In the new parliament, which is constituted on March 25, the Union, SPD and Greens no longer have the necessary two -thirds majority. Therefore, the time pushed to say goodbye to the package with the old Bundestag. Merz is based on the necessary majority, he said on Friday.

In their explorations for a coalition, the CDU, CSU and SPD had agreed to loosen the debt brake for higher defense spending and to create a special fund of 500 billion euros for the infrastructure. However, the Greens initially refused their approval necessary for a decision.

Again and again Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU), SPD parliamentary group leader Lars Klingbeil, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt and the two Greens parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann and Katharina Dröge had met with confidential rounds to search for solutions.

At least at the second point you came closer. On Thursday in the Bundestag, Merz offered to loosen the debt brake not only for defense, but also for civil and population protection and intelligence services. He also suggested that part of the infrastructure credit to be firmly provided for climate protection. The Greens missed guarantees for more money for the climate and for the fact that the climate protection expenses actually increase.

The Greens had also brought the package split into play. Because time pressure is mainly when it comes to defense, where majorities in the new Bundestag would be difficult to reach. In the case of more money for infrastructure, however, an agreement with the left would be conceivable. But here the SPD stuck in a dilemma: it feared that the Union would no longer be part of the infrastructure if the higher defense spending were once secured.

The constitutional changes could be decided by the Bundestag on Tuesday. However, the majorities for this are less secure than usual because many MPs from the Union, SPD and Greens exit from the Bundestag and therefore could therefore feel less bound to the usual faction discipline.

The Federal Council could then decide on Friday – here too, a two -thirds majority is necessary for a decision. This is also not yet certain, since countries can only agree if their government coalitions have found a common line.

Note: This article has been updated.