Germany's election-winning conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, and the Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement in principle with the Greens on a significant increase in state borrowing ahead of next week’s parliamentary vote.
The debt reform plan, proposed by the conservatives and the SPD, aims to exempt defense spending from Germany's constitutional debt brake and establish a €500 billion ($545 billion) fund for infrastructure investment.
The compromise also allocates €100 billion to the climate and economic transformation fund.
With backing from the Greens, Merz is expected to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed for the constitutional amendments in next week’s vote.
"Germany is back," said Merz, announcing the agreement on debt reform.
"It is a clear message to our partners and friends, but also to our opponents, to the enemies of our freedom: we are capable of defending ourselves and we are now fully prepared to defend ourselves," he said.
Merz also said he expects the country to release €3 billion ($3.27 billion) in military aid to Ukraine once the upper house passes the debt reform.
"There will be no shortage of financial resources to defend freedom and peace on our continent," Merz stressed. "Germany is making its major contribution to the defense of freedom and peace in Europe."
Merz, whose conservative bloc is negotiating with the SPD to form a new government after last month’s elections, aims to secure the funds before the new parliament convenes on March 25. After that date, the CDU/CSU’s alliance with the SPD and Greens would no longer hold the majority needed to pass the measure.
Social Democrat co-leader Lars Klingbeil said a major government borrowing and investment push was a "powerful boost" for Europe's largest economy.
"We have laid the foundation for Germany to get back on its feet and protect itself," Klingbeil said after his SPD agreed with conservatives and Greens on the historic debt package.
Green parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge said the €100 billion, which must be spent on new measures rather than to fill budgetary holes, "will make a difference" as the money would be "channelled in the right direction." Though the Green will not be part of the next government, she said negotiations to reach Friday's compromise would allow ministers in the future government to "do the right thing."
Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has secured a breakthrough deal with the Greens, paving the way for a massive state borrowing boost. The agreement, crucial for economic growth and defense spending, sent the euro surging as markets reacted to the historic shift in Germany’s fiscal policy.
A 24-hour strike at key German airports on Monday left over half a million passengers stranded, with over 1,000 flight cancellations, as workers demand higher wages and better conditions.
Berlin’s airport has cancelled all flights for Monday in anticipation of a labour union strike, which is expected to affect over half a million travellers and disrupt thousands of flights at 11 airports across Germany.
Germany’s election winner Friedrich Merz and the SPD have wrapped up preliminary coalition talks, pledging stricter migration controls and economic reforms. Merz aims to finalise the deal by Easter, stressing Europe must strengthen itself amid shifting U.S. policies under Donald Trump.
Germany’s Bundestag will debate major infrastructure spending and defence funding reforms from 13 March, with a vote set for 18 March. Key parties negotiate over debt rule changes and a €500 billion fund.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has issued a statement on the occasion of March 15 – the International Day to Combat Islamophobia – calling on the global community to take urgent action against rising prejudice, hatred, and attacks targeting Muslim communities worldwide.
Islamophobia is a form of fear, prejudice, and hatred that incites threats, insults, provocation, and violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline. As it evolves into structural and cultural racism, it targets Muslim symbols and values.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They positively assessed the meeting between the US and Ukraine held on March 11 in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on a finalised draft peace agreement with Azerbaijan in a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Kremlin said on that Friday conversation was initiated by the Armenian side.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
BMW expects a €1 billion loss for 2025 due to the US-EU tariff dispute, including a 25% duty on certain vehicles and tariffs on its China-made electric cars. The company hopes not all tariffs will remain for the full year.
Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with French and Japanese companies to initiate uranium production in the Navoi region by the end of 2025.
The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and some Hong Kong-flagged vessels that are part of a shadow fleet that helps disguise Iranian oil shipments, the Treasury Department said.
Türkiye’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with U.S. oil giants Continental Resources and TransAtlantic Petroleum, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced.
The Bank of Canada trimmed its key policy rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, lowering it to 2.75%, as concerns mount over inflationary pressures and weaker economic growth driven by renewed trade uncertainties and tariff threats.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has issued a statement on the occasion of March 15 – the International Day to Combat Islamophobia – calling on the global community to take urgent action against rising prejudice, hatred, and attacks targeting Muslim communities worldwide.
Islamophobia is a form of fear, prejudice, and hatred that incites threats, insults, provocation, and violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims, both online and offline. As it evolves into structural and cultural racism, it targets Muslim symbols and values.
The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They positively assessed the meeting between the US and Ukraine held on March 11 in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on a finalised draft peace agreement with Azerbaijan in a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Kremlin said on that Friday conversation was initiated by the Armenian side.
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