The Federal Constitutional Court has rejected the appeals of the Left and AfD regarding the voting on multi-billion investments in the Bundestag, as reported by RT DE. However, the AfD is not giving up yet and has made an unexpected offer to the Left that could prevent the extraordinary session of the 20th Bundestag on Tuesday.
The Federal Constitutional Court’s decision clearly stated that the newly elected Bundestag can be convened at any time, as long as at least one-third of the members demand it, according to the AfD’s website. The AfD and the Left Party together hold more than a third of the seats in the new Bundestag and could, therefore, force the convening of the new parliament.
The AfD’s second parliamentary leader, Stephan Brandner, emphasized the appeal to the Left, stating that, together, they could ensure the new Bundestag is convened immediately, thereby preventing the old and dissolved Bundestag from deciding on the far-reaching debt plans of the Union, SPD and Greens.
Other AfD members also advocated for the proposal, with Carolin Bachmann posting on the internet, expressing hope that the Left would agree. Beatrix von Storch also made a plea, urging the Left to join in and stop the “coup” led by Merz, stating, “So, Heidi Reichinnek, do you want to stop the financing of the Bundeswehr through the debt brake? Then follow us. Or remain silent forever.”
Stephan Protschka, a Bavarian member, also expressed his appeal, asking the Left to put aside their differences and work together to prevent the “unspeakable special fund.” He wrote, “I am not a fan of the Left, but together we could prevent this. So, dear Left, jump over your shadow and forget the Berlin Wall for the benefit of our voters and citizens.”
In fact, the coup is possible, as a third of the members are needed to convene the parliament. The Union and SPD have used this rule to convene the extraordinary sessions of the old, 20th Bundestag, aiming to pass several constitutional amendments, including an exception to the debt brake for defense investments and a special fund for infrastructure measures worth 500 billion euros.
The exact planned defense expenditures are unclear, according to the Federal Auditing Office. The proposed relaxation of the debt brake sets no limits, with the Federal Auditing Office estimating additional debt of one trillion euros over the next ten years and further 25 billion euros in annual interest payments not being ruled out.
The Left and AfD have been opposed to the proposal from the start, with the AfD generally opposing debt and the Left opposing the rearmament. In the new Bundestag, both parties are more strongly represented and could, with a blocking minority, prevent the necessary two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment. Both parties criticize the Union and SPD’s approach as “undemocratic” (Left) or “election fraud” (AfD) and have taken their criticism to the Federal Constitutional Court, where it has failed.
The Left has rejected the AfD’s offer for a joint vote, stating that they will not work with the AfD on any issue and that the Left stands firm on the principle of never working with fascists, as expressed by Left Party leader Ines Schwerdtner.