Germany's parliament may approve new €200 billion defense fund as election winners push for military spending

Germany's outgoing parliament may approve a new €200 billion defense fund in its final weeks. This comes as the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, led by Friedrich Merz, seeks to enhance military spending amid a potentially hostile new Bundestag. The previous fund, created after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is nearly depleted. Merz has emphasized the need for Europe to increase defense capabilities, but faces challenges from far-left and far-right factions that could block funding reforms. Discussions are ongoing between CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats on defense funding. Merz's potential coalition would hold only 52% of parliamentary votes, making future military spending decisions uncertain.