Germany votes for historic boost to defence spending | BBC News

German lawmakers have voted to allow a huge increase in defence and infrastructure spending - a seismic shift for the country that could reshape European defence.

A two-thirds majority of Bundestag parliamentarians, required for the change, approved the vote on Tuesday.

The law will exempt spending on defence and security from Germany's strict debt rules, and create a €500bn ($547bn; £420bn) infrastructure fund.

This vote is a historic move for traditionally debt-shy Germany, and could be hugely significant for Europe, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine grinds on, and after US President Donald Trump signalled an uncertain commitment to Nato and Europe's defence.



#Germany #DefenceSpending #BBCNews

[rosemariebredahl]

Good. Military independence from the U.S. is more important than ever.

[reeoshi]

At least they’re on our side this time

[Unbekannt]

I‘m a German are really happy about it even more because we are this time on the right side
🇫🇷🇬🇧🇩🇪

[HarichandraPuri]

People are worried about Germany again because of History it's a different era so, Germany needs it to protect itself. The sleeping powerhouse is waking up

[bas]

Hey, if anyone deserves a 3rd chance, its us Germans, right?

[Tscharlieh]

„Even the most righteous cannot live in peace if their wicked neighbor does not permit it.“ The same applies to nations.

[amitavamitra]

1 Trillion Dollar !!! wow!! I am thinking, jobs, ifrastructure, investment, innovation, not just in defense but multi disciplinary fields. Most important Germany Shows the way to protect EU. Most important, this would make EU independence from US..

[bburkbi]

Germany going to show their true POSITIVE power :)

[Gilder-von-Schattenkreuz]

Well. Hope Putin and Trump are Proud of themselves.

[keneb]

Holy Sh*t! Let's hope it won't turn out like usually... 😅

[markushaahr]

“If we could turn back time? To the good old dayys”

[gidsinveenhuizenpuntnl]

This will act as a signal to other EU nations to step up. Especially those whose military are highly integrated with that of Germany. The Netherlands for example. 🇳🇱 government is held back by 3 of the four coalition parties demanding various amendments and rules before agreeing even to the EU 800 billion plan. If the Dutch increase defense spending to a recently floatec number of 3, 5% of GDP it will probably also not rattle economists much as NL is also one of those Northern European fiscally tight club.
This will probably also apply to Denmark and some lesser extend the other Scandinavians and Baltics since they are already spending a larger % of GDP on defense.
Which makes it a weird collection of nations, some of which are in Nato but not the EU and some that are in the EU but not NATO or even the "Coalition of the Willing" Austria for example is in the group of nations

[markusberwanger]

We live in strange times when the whole of Europe is happy that Germany is arming itself.🤣🤣😂

[aleksanderkrych]

Canada with EU 🇬🇧, and Ukraine 🇨🇦💪🇨🇦💪🇨🇦💪🇨🇦

[christiana.v.w]

Well, if some optimism is allowed, we may say that the investment in infrastructure was long needed, we were becoming obsolete in many aspects; maybe switching to "combat mode" could be a dynamic input; situation in worrying though .

[Tyler_the_Great_]

Finally, Germany shall become an independent power and lead the continent once again

[carador]

More money is good, but now we have to use it and not let billions bog down in bureaucratic channels.

[Scouser]

Hope they chuck some business UK's way. Infrastructure spending will have a long term payback. A lesson UK forgot decades ago.
I guess we could have the old German roads and bridges when Germany gets new ones.

[TheUtopiaStream]

Defence of Ukraine borders not German borders. Traitor.

[MrOliver]

Does Tice using Germany as an example for growth again? Or hasnt he mentioned the debt comparison with the UK?