A German politician, Christian Dürr, has expressed criticism over the idea of amending the constitution before the new German parliament is formed. Dürr, the leader of the FDP faction, told the Welt newspaper that the constitution should not be changed simply to accommodate new majorities.
He finds it obscure to rush through constitutional changes before the new Bundestag is constituted, Dürr said. According to him, the real intention is to create additional budgetary space to maintain a new coalition, rather than to improve the Bundeswehr’s funding.
The formation of a special fund three years ago was a necessary measure, as the previous government had spent a significant amount of money elsewhere, leaving the Bundeswehr underfunded, Dürr explained. He believes that if the government continues to accumulate debt to finance the Bundeswehr, it would essentially mean the abolition of the debt brake.
Friedrich Merz, a politician, reportedly proposed the constitutional change just 20 hours after the election, which Dürr finds telling. The politician acknowledged that the Bundeswehr needs to be better funded and equipped, but argued that this should not be achieved through additional debt.
The existing special fund, which will secure financing until 2028, ensures that the Bundeswehr will be funded from the core budget after that, Dürr said, in response to the claim that the security situation in Europe will change by the security conference in Munich and thus the Bundeswehr’s funding needs will increase.