March 6, 2025 (EIRNS)—Determined to push the €400 billion special militarization budget through the outgoing Bundestag before its newly-elected members constitute the new parliament on March 28, Christian Democrats and Social Democrats will present the budget for a vote next week. A two-thirds majority is required, as the “debt brake,” which bans extra borrowing and has constitutional status, has to be suspended. The same majority is also required in the upper house of Parliament, the Bundesrat, where opposition can be expected, too.
BSW Chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht announced on March 5 that the states of Thuringia and Brandenburg will not agree to the relaxation of the debt brake for the Bundeswehr in the Bundesrat. The party is involved in both state governments. “As we reject the amendment on military spending, the states will at least abstain,” Wagenknecht told Stern magazine.
Brandenburg BSW Finance Minister Robert Crumbach welcomed additional money for infrastructure, but rejected new investments in the Bundeswehr. “The EU and Germany are already spending a lot of money on armaments,” Crumbach told rbb24 TV news. “Our security is guaranteed.”
In contrast, SPD Brandenburg Minister President Dietmar Woidke said that it was obvious that Germany needs to increase its military capabilities. “Incidentally, this is also in the coalition agreement,” said Woidke. “The details must be examined, and then we will form an opinion on this in the coalition,” Woidke said when asked by rbb24. Should he and his Social Democrats vote in favor of militarization, the coalition with the BSW may break apart.
