Chancellor Merz: Germany Has Returned!

Prospective Chancellor of Germany/Friedrich Merz/PHOTO via Instagram @ merzcdu

JAKARTA - German Chancellor Candidate Friedrich Merz claims important support from the Greens for a major increase in state loans, which paved the way for parliament's upcoming end to approve it next week.

The conservative Merz and Social Democrats proposed a 500 billion euro fund for infrastructure and major changes to loan rules to strengthen defense and revive Europe's largest economic growth.

Together with the Greens, they now have a two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments, with the vote scheduled for next week.

Merz confirmed the need to push the package through parliament that would end his term after a recent policy change in the United States under President Donald Trump, by warning Russia's hostile and unreliable US could expose the continent.

"This is a clear message to our partners but also to our enemies of freedom: We are capable of self-defense," Merz, whose conservative party won the election, told a news conference reported by Reuters on Friday, March 14.

"Germany has returned. Germany has made a significant contribution to maintaining freedom and peace in Europe," he added.

With one hurdle that has been passed, constitutional courts still have to decide whether parliament to end its term of office can pass these important steps and whether lawmakers have enough time to assess these measures thoroughly.

The decision is expected to be issued before the vote on Tuesday.