Merz Courts Greens for Constitutional Amendments

Friedrich Merz seeks support from the Greens for changes to Germany's debt brake, aiming to include civil and intelligence defense spending. Both conservatives and Social Democrats need Green backing to pass constitutional amendments before the new Bundestag makes it more challenging.

Friedrich Merz, the German would-be chancellor, is making strategic moves to gain the backing of the Green Party for his proposed reforms to the country's debt brake law. By incorporating civil defense and intelligence spending into the defense budget, Merz aims to solidify German defensive capabilities.

The conservatives, led by Merz, alongside the Social Democrats, are racing against the clock to obtain the necessary support from the Greens to pass significant constitutional amendments. This urgency is due to the impending seating of a new Bundestag, which may complicate achieving a parliamentary majority.

Merz emphasized the pressing need for improved defensive measures, advocating prompt action rather than procrastination. He believes the compromises he's offering should suffice to secure the Greens' support, questioning what additional concessions they might require given the constraints of time.

(With inputs from agencies.)