The SPD is pressing for a comprehensive overhaul of Germany’s debt brake, opposing Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who recently said it was merely a matter of “a few technical details”.
SP D budget spokesperson Thorsten Rudolph told the “Rheinische Post” that the country needs a modernised debt rule with an investment booster in order to keep public infrastructure in good shape permanently. “We must not again see our nation forced to spend decades cutting corners because the debt brake was poorly designed, only to be fixed later with a huge special fund financed by new borrowing. This is why a handful of technical adjustments are insufficient” he said.
Similarly, SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf echoed this stance. He reminded the press that the debt‑brake reform was explicitly agreed upon in the coalition contract and remains urgently necessary for the nation’s future. “We still expect the Union to honor that shared commitment. Any future investment stalemate would be extremely hard for our country to endure” he added. “Only through reform can we secure the urgently needed money for rail, roads, schools, energy networks, as well as for climate protection, security, and defense-thus making our country function better and strengthening its economic position”.
Merz, on Monday, stated that new borrowing was out of the question and remarked, “The SPD knows this too”.
