A striking number of leading figures from the SPD, Greens and even FDP are calling for more money for the Bundeswehr, civil defense and security. Should Christian Lindner, guardian of the debt brake, come under pressure to act?
The federal government’s questioning in the Bundestag actually serves the members’ right to information. But sometimes cabinet members also use their questions to place political messages. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke on Wednesday about what she called a “question of principle” when asked about the budget planning for the Foreign Office. “Have we ever experienced a greater threat in our own lifetime than the one we are currently facing?” she asked, referring to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In any case, they cannot remember any “major exceptional situation” in their lives.