Söder wants a "powerful signal": Way out for Merz: CSU proposes increasing the special fund

After comments about a possible reform of the debt brake with the old Bundestag, CDU leader Merz made it clear that this would not happen. However, it would be possible to increase the special fund for the Bundeswehr. The proposal comes from the CSU.

The CDU and CSU have rejected a reform of the debt brake with the majority of the incumbent Bundestag. CSU leader Markus Söder said that "a general reform of the debt brake cannot be decided by the old Bundestag."

Shortly afterwards, Söder appeared before the press with CDU leader Merz, where Merz also said that a reform of the debt brake was out of the question "in the near future". If it were to take place at all, it would be "quite a lot of work and a difficult task that would have to be done".

The situation is different with an increase in the existing special fund for the Bundeswehr, said Söder at his first appearance. "I believe that it would not be a bad signal at all if Germany - before the whole normal process of forming a government takes place - perhaps even uses the opportunity to send a powerful international signal," said the Bavarian head of government.

special funds "technically simple"

A reform of the debt brake would be "a very complex project, because it is also a very complex issue," explained CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt. There is not enough time for that. The situation is different with the special fund, which is "technically speaking simple." That can be "changed, even in a shorter period of time." However, there have been no discussions on this so far.

In response to a question about the special fund, Merz said cautiously: "I also read that there is already speculation about the special fund. We are talking to each other, but it is far too early to say anything now. I see it as difficult at the moment."

Söder pointed out that the Left Party had ruled out supporting constitutional changes that would lead to more money for the military on Sunday. A balance must now be struck between "general legitimacy issues" and "efficiency issues". The talks on this must first be held between CDU leader Merz and SPD leader Klingbeil.

On Monday, Merz sounded different

In the new Bundestag, the Union, SPD and Greens do not have a two-thirds majority to change the constitution; the AfD and the Left have a purely mathematical blocking minority. A future coalition would therefore have to rely on votes from the Left or the AfD for a new special fund or a reform of the debt brake. The old Bundestag will be in office for another four weeks; only then will the new Bundestag be constituted.

On Monday, Merz announced talks with the SPD, the Greens and the FDP about another special fund. When asked how he would deal with the fact that, on the one hand, another special fund might be necessary, and on the other hand, the AfD and the Left have a blocking minority in the new Bundestag, he said he could not yet answer that question. It was a difficult situation, "but before I speculate about it publicly," he wanted to speak to the SPD, the FDP and the Greens first.

When asked whether this meant that he was not ruling out a reform of the debt brake or a new special fund, Merz said that the Bundestag was capable of making decisions at any time. "We can decide. Whether we should or must decide is something I will then talk about with the parties that still have the existing mandate in the German Bundestag," i.e. the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.

Greens are skeptical

The Greens had previously expressed scepticism about a new special fund. Green parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann pointed out on Tuesday that there were also very different voices coming from the Union, such as North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst or CSU leader Söder. Merz had "put the interests of the CDU before the interests of the country" during the election campaign.

Merz "walked into this situation knowingly," said Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann. Haßelmann and her co-chair Katharina Dröge said they were willing to talk. However, Dröge criticized Merz for arguing primarily in terms of security policy. It would be "fundamentally smarter" to exclude investments from the debt brake in general. "In terms of democratic theory, I don't think that's so easy," noted Haßelmann. "But the CDU and CSU, with Friedrich Merz at the helm, will have to take responsibility for that first and foremost."