In a recent interview, Alexander Dobrindt, the head of the Christian Social Union’s (CSU) state group, expressed openness to revising the federal states’ debt brake, a measure that limits the ability of the states to take on new debt. According to Dobrindt, the states initially forwent the opportunities to take on new debt, even in limited form, when the debt brake was introduced. However, if the states were to reassess their stance, the topic could be revisited, he said. Dobrindt emphasized that the debt brake would remain in place, regardless of any potential changes.
Meanwhile, Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), hinted at a possible “movement” towards a more flexible approach to the debt brake after the election, citing a need for a “Länderöffnungsklausel” (a clause allowing for state-level flexibility).
When asked about his own political future, Dobrindt ruled out a targeted bid for the minister of transportation position, stating that he did not want to “unsettle the population” by announcing a candidacy. Unlike CSU leader Markus Söder, who has already touted Dobrindt as a potential “super-minister” Dobrindt views his own future role as still uncertain, saying he will adhere to the principle of first waiting for the election results, then the coalition negotiations and finally the personnel decisions.