Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU bloc and a possible future Chancellor of Germany, expressed strong confidence that the Bundestag will approve the proposed multi-billion-euro financial package for defense and infrastructure in a vote on Tuesday.
Merz, whose Christian Democrats won the recent election, has called for an emergency session of the Bundestag, which is nearing the end of its mandate. In this session, the CDU/CSU, together with the Social Democrats and the Greens, control roughly 70% of the seats.
The timing of this vote is crucial, as the newly elected Bundestag would see the right-wing “Alternative for Germany” and left-wing Die Linke parties forming a blocking minority against such reforms.
On Monday, Merz shared his optimism, saying, “I am confident that my package will be approved.”
“I fully understand that there are questions and doubts. I think we have convinced the critics. There are two or three CDU members who want to stick to their decision not to support the bill,” he added.
The CDU/CSU and SPD parties, currently negotiating to form a government led by Merz, have agreed that any defense spending exceeding 1% of GDP will be exempt from debt limits.
Furthermore, a special infrastructure fund, totaling 500 billion euros over 10 years, will be established, benefiting federal states across Germany.
