Friedrich Merz considers reconvening parliament to amend Germany's debt brake

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, is considering reconvening the outgoing parliament to amend the country's strict borrowing cap, known as the debt brake. He plans to discuss this with other parties before the parliament's term ends on March 24. Merz's CDU won 28.5% of the vote in recent elections, allowing him to potentially succeed Olaf Scholz as chancellor. However, far-right and far-left parties hold enough seats to block any constitutional changes, complicating efforts to increase defense spending. While Merz aims to find funding solutions, including possible welfare cuts, opposition parties have expressed strong resistance to amending the debt brake. The situation remains uncertain as discussions continue among the mainstream parties.