German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defence fund

Friedrich Merz, expected to be next chancellor, has spoken of urgent need for ramped-up defence, but ‘blocking minority’ could form in future Bundestag

Germany’s outgoing parliament could be asked to sign off on a new defence fund in its final weeks as the conservative winners of Sunday’s election seek to balance geopolitical demands with the looming pressures of a new Bundestag hostile to military spending.

Since the victory of his CDU/CSU alliance, Friedrich Merz has spoken of the urgent need for Europe to ramp up its own defence capabilities, saying it needs “independence from the USA” amid an unpredictable Trump administration and a looming threat from Russia.

Topics

Starmer cuts aid to fund hike in defence spending

The prime minister sets out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027.
BBC News - 2h
German Defence Minister Pistorius laments 'catastrophic' SPD result

Yahoo News - 2d
EU and UK in talks about Europe-wide defence funding amid fear of US pullback

Donald Trump’s re-engagement with Russia has given new urgency to European discussions
Financial Times - 1d
The Anonymous YouTubers Street-Racing Through New York

In January, a 20-year-old man that police believe to be an internet-famous street racer known as Squeeze was sentenced to five years in prison for unrelated crimes. Many more still speed through ...
Wired - 1d
Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economy. Germany is used to running its economy with the brake on. Ever since the ...
The Guardian - 4d
Friday Briefing: Germans Are Choosing New Leadership

Plus, volcano tourism in Sicily.
The New York Times - 5d
Murray State Racers square off against the Southern Illinois Salukis

Southern Illinois Salukis (12-15, 7-9 MVC) vs. Murray State Racers (13-14, 7-9 MVC) Carbondale, Illinois; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Racers -1.5; over/under is 137.5 BOTTOM ...
ABC News - 6d
Is New York Winning the Fight Against Rats?

The city’s next phase of trash control begins next month, which invites the question: Is containerization working?
Inc. - 1d
'Drag Race' alum Shangela accused of 2017 sexual assault in new lawsuit

Darius Jeremy “DJ” Pierce, known by his drag persona Shangela, has been accused of sexually assaulting a crew member of a movie he was filming in 2017, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in a New ...
NBC News - 7h