Government officials are signaling potential difficulties in implementing a planned reform of Germany’s debt brake, a constitutional rule limiting government borrowing. Thorsten Frei, Minister in the Chancellery for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), expressed reservations regarding the contractual agreement reached by the current coalition government, comprised of the CDU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Frei, in remarks to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, suggested that discussions concerning modifications to the debt brake are possible, but emphasized the coalition’s commitment to avoiding a scenario where the state incurs persistent increases in debt. He stated that such a course would be “the wrong way” to proceed.
A significant hurdle to the reform’s passage is the requirement for a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag. Achieving this would necessitate engagement with opposition parties, including the Green Party and the Left Party. Frei pointed out that the current coalition lacks the constitutional amending power needed, highlighting the reliance on securing support from these opposition forces.
He underscored the coalition’s adherence to the terms of their agreement, yet cautioned that guarantees can only be provided for measures initiated and resolved by the coalition itself.
Regarding potential negotiations with the Left Party, Frei indicated a lack of consensus within the coalition regarding a unified approach. He affirmed the CDU’s commitment to a resolution passed at their party conference, which establishes a position of incompatibility regarding substantive collaboration with the Left Party. Any discussions would first require achieving a common understanding within the coalition itself.