The SPD insists on a comprehensive overhaul of the debt‑brake, a stance that runs counter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently said the issue boils down to “a few technical questions”.
Thorsten Rudolph, the SPD’s budget spokesperson, told the “Rheinische Post” that the party needs a modernised debt‑rule with an investment booster. “We must not let our country become a target of a poorly designed debt‑brake that forces us to cut spending for decades and then require a gigantic special fund financed with new debt to fix the damage” he explained. “A few technical tweaks simply won’t suffice”.
SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf added that the reform is a core element of the coalition agreement and remains urgently needed. “We expect the Union to honour that shared commitment as well” he said. “A renewed investment standstill would be crippling for our country” he warned. “Only through a proper reform can we secure the necessary funds for trains, roads, schools, energy networks, climate protection, security and defence-rebuilding our country and strengthening its economic position”.
Merz said on Monday that further borrowing is off the table. “The SPD knows this” he remarked.