Remarkable: Merz wants to discuss reforming debt brake in the *outgoing* Bundestag, where CDU/CSU+SPD+Greens still have over 2/3 of seats, before new Bundestag is constituted by 25 March. Greens already signalled willingness this morning.
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
And thereby getting this off the negotiating table before negotiations begin? Smart. But then again, SPD was never in favor of it so might as well do it now, right
It is remarkable... The party, that sued in the last crisis up to supreme court is willing to now change it.
Yes it is necessary, but never underestimate the power hunger of Merz and connected danger. I hope it plays out well, but hopefully we get back to value based thinking soon...
Really interesting if true: greens are already future opposition but cooperating on change für debt brake for good while Merz in opposition fought fiercefully against any reformation.
(Though worth noting that SPD more sceptical. Finance minister Kukies doubts there is enough time for the move, which he also says would send a "questionable political signal".)
But he has a point. Ramming through a substantial policy reform with a "caretaker" Bundestag after Germany has just elected a new one is not a good move. I support a reform but that's sketchy.
Also I imagine there would need to be huge future promises to Greens because their votes would be needed either way and that is one lever to push their policies in the new Bundestag, no?
Is that 'allowed' 🤔? In NL 🇳🇱 after elections it's common practice to make a list of 'controversial topics' (where a substantial parliamentary minority is opposed) that need to be postponed until a new cabinet is in place.
As you say, "common practice" - not the law. And a new German cabinet can be up and running before the new Bundestag is installed. But however much I think it is better to reform the Schuldenbremse without having to rely on Die Linke, I do agree it would be questionable democratically.
Gawd it'd be nice to have an upside surprise right now. Wasn't holding out a huge amount of optimism for a Merz chancellorship. Or am I getting out over my skis?
I mean, in the current environment I will take "cynical opportunistic asshole who is late to do the right thing" over "let's instantiate global fascism" every day and twice on Sunday. Is the debt brake thing related to re-armament, do we think? That was my guess.
yep. but previous administration wanted this as well. Ukraine and stimulating green growth. only Merz hates greens so much apparently he opposed this. ready to throw Ukraine help in the bin with it.
I doubt this is the way forward.
Sure. I think I understand. I get the previous govt's position - IIRC it was what undid the coalition. So is the reversal by Merz explainable in terms of needing to have it as an option for re-armament given what's happened? Or is there some darker reason I don't know enough to guess at?
Yes. He is an massive asshole. He sued the old government to stick to debt brake, when they wanted to reform it because of the war in Ukraine and the climate change.
And now, ups - "I am not interested in what I was saying yesterday".
Comments
But however it’s done, the eurozone creates euros
Banks create loans
Everyone uses the currency to make bank payments
Yes it is necessary, but never underestimate the power hunger of Merz and connected danger. I hope it plays out well, but hopefully we get back to value based thinking soon...
Germany - did you choose wisely?
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2025-olaf-scholz-zieht-mit-direktmandat-in-bundestag-ein-a-0f5ac44d-f428-46b2-9ad8-869adeb4fdf3
I doubt this is the way forward.
And now, ups - "I am not interested in what I was saying yesterday".