Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has expressed the necessity of reforming the current debt brake to maintain flexibility for both the federal government and the states. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, Wegner emphasized the importance of this reform for future investment and the ability of both levels of government to act. He welcomed the federal government’s intention to establish a panel of experts to examine potential changes.
While acknowledging the need for discussion, Christian Haase, the CDU’s spokesperson for budgetary policy, defended the framework that limits new debt. He stressed that any reform considerations must ensure the debt brake remains a cornerstone of stability and complies with European regulations.
The Left party has also welcomed the planned establishment of the expert panel. Party leader Ines Schwerdtner stated the party would support both reform and potential abolition of the debt brake, viewing it as a positive step.
Sebastian Schäfer, representing the Green Party on budgetary matters, urged the commission to approach the reform process constructively. He cautioned against the panel becoming overly ideological, advocating instead that it focus on identifying viable solutions.
The agreement to form an expert commission tasked with proposing a “modernization” of the debt brake initially stemmed from a coalition agreement between the CDU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). SPD leader Lars Klingbeil recently reaffirmed this commitment to the reform initiative.
