‘Germany is back’: Merz secures Greens’ support for defence spend boost

Backing of Greens is tantamount to approval of chancellor-in-waiting’s proposal to relax debt brake
Germany’s conservative chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, has said he has secured the support of the Green party for his radical plan to increase spending on defence and infrastructure after marathon talks that went through the night, paving the way for its approval in parliament.
“Germany is back,” Merz said in Berlin on Friday. “Germany is making its large contribution to the defence of freedom and peace in Europe.”
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Merz presses Greens to name their terms for German defence spending rise
‘What more do you want from us?’ asks chancellor-in-waiting as he seeks urgent support for fiscal rule changes. Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting has tried to win over the Greens to his ambitious but ...The Guardian - 1d -
Germany’s Merz agrees spending deal with Greens
Agreement paves way for flagship defence and infrastructure package to be adopted by parliament next weekFinancial Times - 2h -
Germany’s Greens vow to block Merz’s flagship spending package
Party officials reject €500bn infrastructure fund plan and change to debt borrowing rules to fund defence spendingFinancial Times - 4d -
Can Germany spend its way out of industrial decline?
Chancellor-to-be Friedrich Merz wants to expand investment in defence and infrastructure. The race to re-arm could be a much-needed boost for manufacturingFinancial Times - 6d -
No European defence without Germany
The rapid action by Friedrich Merz in the face of Donald Trump’s disruption highlights how the continent’s leaders need strategy as well as spendingFinancial Times - 6d -
Germany’s Merz offers concessions to Greens over ‘historic’ spending plan
Chancellor-to-be vows greater share of investments for green transition as outgoing Bundestag reconvenes to debate billsFinancial Times - 1d -
Boosted defence spending will come at cost of manifesto pledges
Government should level with public about which promises it cannot afford to keepFinancial Times - 4d -
Germany can spend almost €2tn without harming growth, economists say
FT survey finds ‘large fiscal capacity’, but economists urge would-be chancellor Friedrich Merz to spend funds wiselyFinancial Times - 4d -
Germany to reach out to France and UK over sharing of nuclear weapons
But Friedrich Merz cautions such a move could not replace the US’s existing protective shield over Europe. Germany’s chancellor-to-be, Friedrich Merz, has said he will reach out to France and ...The Guardian - 5d
More from The Guardian
-
Putin praises Trump for ‘doing everything’ to improve US-Russia relations
Putin responds to Trump’s appeal to save ‘surrounded’ Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk though there is no evidence of encirclement. Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updates Vladimir Putin has ...The Guardian - 33m -
Mark Carney sworn in as Canadian prime minister amid US trade war
Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor becomes 24th PM and expected to call election soon. Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister, capping a sudden rise to power ...The Guardian - 2h -
Hamas says it will free Israeli-US hostage in potential breakthrough in ceasefire talks
Soldier Edan Alexander could be released along with remains of four other Israeli-US nationals, but unclear what Hamas will ask for in return. Hamas has said it is ready to free an Israeli-US ...The Guardian - 4h -
Mahmoud Khalil ‘felt as though he was being kidnapped’, lawyers say
Lawyers demand in updated lawsuit that Columbia University graduate be released from custody. Mahmoud Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped when he was handcuffed and shackled and rushed ...The Guardian - 2h -
Nancy Pelosi calls Republican funding bill ‘a devastating assault’ on working families as Schumer urges Democratic backing – live
At least eight Senate Democrats need to vote with Republicans to advance bill ahead of midnight deadline to fund government. Democrats at odds over Republican bill to fund government ...The Guardian - 37m
More in World
-
Why it might get worse for US stocks
Uncertainty over Trump policy will soon hit the economy with few short-term catalysts for a turnaroundFinancial Times - 17m -
Challenged by Trump, Trudeau Rallies Canada as He Leaves Office
After nearly a decade in power, Justin Trudeau steps down on Friday as prime minister amid a trade war and President Trump’s stated desire to annex Canada.The New York Times - 20m -
What Syria’s New Temporary Constitution Says
The declaration, signed by interim president Ahmed al-Shara, guarantees individual freedoms but gives Mr. al-Shara abundant power and keeps Islamic law as its legal foundation.The New York Times - 25m -
Cheltenham festival: Inothewayurthinkin denies Galopin Des Champs in Gold Cup – live
Galopin Des Champs denied hat-trick in big race Day four tips | Email John with your thoughtsh 1.20 Triumph Hurdle odds . Odds via Oddschecker . East India Dock 6/4. Lulamba 5/2. Hello ...The Guardian - 26m -
Putin praises Trump for ‘doing everything’ to improve US-Russia relations
Putin responds to Trump’s appeal to save ‘surrounded’ Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk though there is no evidence of encirclement. Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updates Vladimir Putin has ...The Guardian - 33m