Following pressure from Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) regarding the reform of the debt brake, as stipulated in the coalition agreement, the Left party has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions. Dietmar Bartsch, the Left party’s spokesperson for budgetary policy in the Bundestag, stated in an interview with the “Rhinische Post” that the party expects to be included in the related conversations.
Bartsch emphasized the urgency of this reform, clarifying that its purpose isn’t to enable limitless investment in defense spending, but rather to safeguard social cohesion. He asserted that fulfilling the commitments outlined in the coalition agreement is essential, particularly in regard to achieving the two-thirds majority needed in the Bundestag to reform the constitutionally enshrined debt brake.
The governing coalition requires the support of both the Green Party and the Left party to enact the necessary modifications to the current debt brake rules.