Germany’s lower house approves constitutional changes for massive defense spending

BERLIN

Germany's lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved constitutional changes to enable significant funding for defense and infrastructure.

The changes, proposed by the Christian Democrats and their prospective coalition partner, the Social Democrats, were passed in the Bundestag with a vote of 513 to 207, narrowly achieving the required two-thirds majority.

Under these changes, Germany's strict fiscal rules will be eased, permitting borrowing for critical defense spending, strengthening intelligence services, protecting information technology systems, and aiding states attacked in violation of international law.

Expenditures in these categories exceeding 1% of Germany’s GDP will be exempt from the constitutional “debt brake” rule. Previously, the country’s basic law capped government borrowing at 0.35% of GDP.

Another approved measure establishes a €500 billion ($546 billion) special fund for infrastructure investments and climate protection. Of this amount, €100 billion will be allocated to federal states for infrastructure investments, while another €100 billion will be designated for climate protection.

Following Tuesday’s vote, the changes must still be approved by the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house of parliament, to take effect. Approval is widely expected on Friday, as the Greens, along with the center-right Christian Democrats and center-left Social Democrats, have already expressed their support for the proposals.