Federal Council votes with a two -thirds majority for debt package

The Union and SPD’s billion-dollar financing package must take the last hurdle in the Federal Council this Friday. As before in the Bundestag, a two -thirds majority is also required in the country chamber for the change in the Basic Law. That is 46 of the 69 votes that the 16 federal states have. The two -thirds majority is possible after it is clear that Bavaria will also agree with its important six votes. After the initial rejection, the free voters who ruled in Munich had finally agreed.

It is planned that the debt brake, which is anchored in the Basic Law, which sets close limits for the federal debt, is relaxed for expenditure in defense, civil protection, intelligence services and cyber security. For all of these expenses that exceed one percent of gross domestic product, loans can be taken. That would be all about 44 billion euros this year.

In addition, a special fund is created, for which the debt brake does not apply and which is fed up to 500 billion euros with loans. This is intended to pay the repair of the dilapidated infrastructure in Germany. 100 billion euros are to go to the countries, another 100 billion euros are to flow into climate protection and the climate -friendly conversion of the economy.

After an assumption by the state chamber, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will examine the law as to whether it has been constitutionally. With its signature and the subsequent publication in the Federal Law Gazette, the amendment to the Basic Law is effective.