Germany Secures Historic Military Spending Boost

Germany’s outgoing Bundestag voted with more than a two-thirds majority (513 to 207) on Tuesday to approve a massive increase in defense spending.

The previous constitution limited how much Germany can borrow. But under the new law, all military spending above 1 percent of Germany’s gross domestic product will not count toward the debt limit. This essentially means that for defense, the nation can borrow as much as it likes.

The deal will also unlock €500 billion euros (us$544 billion) for infrastructure over the next decade.

Incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed the new law through, justifying it by saying Germany and the rest of Europe need to defend themselves from a hostile Russia without help from an unreliable United States.

It is a clear message to our partners… but also to the enemies of our freedom: We are capable of defending ourselves. …

Germany is back. Germany is making a significant contribution to the defense of freedom and peace in Europe.
—Friedrich Merz

Celebrating allies: European allies were quick to celebrate the breakthrough.

[A]s a neighboring country, it’s fantastic news because we need a strong Europe.
—Mette Frederiksen, Danish prime minister

It’s excellent news because it sends a very clear message, very clear message also to Europe that Germany is determined to invest massively in defense.
—Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president

Historic move: The move is a historic change in Germany’s approach to defense, not only for reasons going back to post World War ii, but also because of the global debt crisis in 2009 that caused the country to bring in the debt brake under Angela Merkel.

Robin Winkler, senior economist at Deutsche Bank, called the overhaul “a historic fiscal regime shift, arguably the largest since German reunification.”

Up in arms: Europe is moving fast to rearm, and Germany is leading the effort. The drastic changes the Continent is making to turn it into a military superpower are right in line with Bible prophecy.

To learn about these prophecies, read our latest Trumpet cover story, “Up In Arms.”