In a recent interview, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann expressed his anticipation of changes to the debt brake in the event of a government takeover by the Union. Linnemann told the Bayern Mediengruppe that, “On the state level, there isn’t the flexibility we have in the federal government. The states have a great interest in discussing this topic. There will certainly be movement here.” The Union’s chancellor candidate, Friedrich Merz, had not ruled out changes to the debt brake in the TV duel.
Looking ahead to the federal election, Linnemann expressed the hope that the FDP would clear the five-percent hurdle. “I wish for the FDP to enter the Bundestag, but everyone fights for themselves.” The new electoral law will force the Union to work even more intensely to win over second votes. “There are electoral districts where CDU candidates can win directly, but still not enter the Bundestag. This is a concern in Baden-Württemberg or Berlin, for example.