The Greens have announced that they will not support the constitutional amendment to reform the debt brake. The chair of the Greens’ Bundestag faction, Katharina Dröge, stated in a press conference that she and co-chair Britta Haßelmann had advised their faction not to support the amendment.
Party leader Franziska Brandtner accused the CDU and SPD of wanting to finance election promises by reforming the debt brake. She likened herself to Wolfgang Schäuble, the father of the debt brake and expressed her willingness to take responsibility for the country, but not to finance the election promises of the CDU and SPD.
Brandtner emphasized that a reform of the debt brake is necessary, but criticized the proposed changes, saying that Schäuble would be shocked to see his party reform the debt brake to finance tax gifts. The Greens do not reject the idea of reforming the debt brake in principle, but demand that their political themes receive more attention. They particularly emphasize the need for improvements in climate protection and defense and security.
The Greens plan to submit their own proposals for the constitutional amendment, which are scheduled to be presented to the Bundestag on March 13 and voted on by the old Bundestag on March 18. The procedure is highly controversial, with the AfD having already filed an emergency appeal with the Federal Constitutional Court against the planned special session of the Bundestag and the Left Party considering a lawsuit. Further information will be provided shortly.