Germany alters constitution to boost military spending

Germany has made a significant decision to increase its defense and infrastructure spending. The vote took place in the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, and marked a historic change in the country's approach to military funding. Lawmakers approved the plan to exempt defense spending from strict debt rules that limit borrowing. This move allows Germany to create a €500 billion ($547 billion, £420 billion) infrastructure fund. It comes at a crucial time as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues and concerns grow about U.S. support for NATO. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and expected new chancellor, stressed the need for this change, saying Germany had been too complacent about security for too long. Merz argued that this decision is the first step toward building a new European defense community, extending beyond EU member states. The new law means defense spending will no longer count against Germany's debt limit, which restricts federal borrowing to 0.35% of GDP. While the Bundestag vote achieved the necessary two-thirds majority, the plans still need approval from the upper house, the Bundesrat, which is expected to vote on Friday. Merz acted quickly after his party's recent election victory, fearing a potential reduction in U.S. involvement in European defense. However, his plans face opposition from both the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) and the far-left Linke parties. As of now, Merz has not yet finalized a coalition agreement to govern, although he aims to have a government in place by Easter. Coalition talks in Germany can take time, which could delay the implementation of these significant changes.