Overview
- At its Stuttgart party congress, the CDU adopted a resolution rejecting any further loosening of the Schuldenbremse and demanding proof that existing debt has funded investments before authorizing new borrowing.
- SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf countered that the coalition agreement explicitly calls for developing the rule to create more room for future investments in infrastructure, childcare, schools, security and economic strength.
- The SPD says it expects the CDU to adhere to the coalition pact’s commitments, with Ralf Stegner warning against efforts to tighten the rule or unwind the coalition’s investment decisions.
- Klüssendorf noted that an experts’ commission on potential reforms is already meeting and said its proposals should be reviewed before the parties enter concrete negotiations.
- The CDU resolution drew on a Junge Union motion asserting that any “modernization” must not weaken the fiscal rule, citing earlier exceptions for defense and an infrastructure fund as departures from CDU campaign promises.