A potential rift within the CDU has emerged after the party’s agreement with the SPD on a massive debt package. The plan, which includes a significant increase in government debt, has sparked controversy among some CDU members.
Former CDU faction chief Ralph Brinkhaus criticized the move, stating, “We told the opposite in the election campaign!” Johannes Winkel, head of the Young Union, also expressed his discontent, describing the outcome as “a clear political defeat for the Union.” The CDU’s election program had explicitly ruled out a significant increase in government debt.
According to a report by Bild, CDU Haushaltspolitiker were not involved in the negotiations, which may have contributed to the controversy. CDU leader Friedrich Merz justified the decision to increase government debt by citing a larger-than-expected budget shortfall, with estimates suggesting a deficit of 130 billion euros.
The planned 500 billion euros in infrastructure spending has raised particular concerns, with some questioning the plan’s feasibility. The proposed “special fund” for infrastructure projects has been criticized, as the exact funding mechanism remains unclear. The planned changes to the debt ceiling, which would allow for higher government debt for certain projects, have also been met with skepticism.
The CDU faction meeting, which lasted longer than expected, revealed a deeper level of discontent than initially anticipated. Despite the parliamentary group’s leader claiming the faction had “strongly supported” Merz, the controversy surrounding the debt package is likely to continue.