Green Party Leadership Rejects Defense and Infrastructure Financial Package

The leadership of the Green Party has announced its opposition to a significant financial package proposed by the CDU/CSU and SPD, aimed at defense and infrastructure funding. This decision poses a substantial challenge for the ongoing coalition negotiations between these two parties.

Katharina Dröge, the leader of the Green parliamentary group, conveyed in Berlin that both she and co-leader Britta Haßelmann advised their party members against supporting the financial package. Party chair Franziska Brantner emphasized that the Greens would not agree to finance what she described as electoral gifts from the Union and SPD, stressing the need for a sustainable reform of the debt brake.

The proposed financial package is critical for the CDU, CSU, and SPD, as it forms the financial basis for their exploratory talks and the coalition negotiations set to commence shortly. During their discussions, these parties had agreed to amend the debt brake to accommodate increased defense spending and to establish a debt-financed special fund of EUR500 billion for infrastructure projects.

The proposed amendments to the Basic Law were scheduled to be presented to parliament and potentially approved by the outgoing Bundestag. However, the Greens have not completely shut the door on negotiations. Dröge suggested that convening the new Bundestag could be a sensible step, indicating that the Greens are open to making quicker decisions if necessary. Nevertheless, she reiterated the party's desire for a comprehensive reform of the debt brake, a sentiment echoed by the Left Party, which has also signaled its support.

Haßelmann pointed out that Union chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has stated that the package would be presented to the Bundestag as is, neglecting the fact that such a move requires a two-thirds majority. She remarked that merely appealing to the Greens' sense of responsibility would not suffice.

In response to the tactics employed by the Union and SPD, Green co-chair Felix Banaszak emphasized that the party would not be available for a political approach that repeatedly seeks agreement only to later present it to those necessary for implementation, asserting that the Greens would ultimately have to agree.

The Greens have criticized the financial package as a mere "treasure chest" filled with funds meant for tax relief, a reform of agricultural diesel, and an increase in the commuter allowance, while neglecting climate protection measures. Initially, the Greens had kept their options open regarding the package, but dissatisfaction has grown within the party due to the Union's approach, particularly the comments made by CSU leader Markus Söder during a political event.

In terms of their specific demands, the Greens have called for detailed proposals that also allocate resources for climate protection initiatives. They have also insisted on greater consideration of intelligence services within the defense framework.