East German Voters Complicate Merz Plan to Boost Ukraine Defense
Christian Görke isn't against Germany easing its borrowing rules, he just doesn't want 'a pure economic stimulus for the arms industry.' The veteran Left Party lawmaker is part of a new class of parliamentarians that will arrive in the Bundestag next month to form a powerful opposition against incoming Christian Democratic chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Merz ran on a promise to invest more in defense. To do that, he'll likely need to change Germany's constitutional limits on borrowing, only possible with a two-thirds majority vote in parliament. But the Left Party, along with the far-right AfD, are adamantly opposed to increasing military spending in support of Ukraine. Combined they have 216 out of a total of 630 seats.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
French Tesla customers sue over brand becoming 'extreme right'
Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk, because they consider the vehicles to be "extreme-right" symbols, the law firm representing them said on Wednesday. They feel they suffered "direct and concrete" damage from the way Teslas are now associated with "Elon Musk's actions", the GKA law firm said. They are demanding the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed, it said in a statement, signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel. The lawsuit comes as Tesla sales in the European Union have almost halved since the beginning of the year, a slump attributed to Musk's political activities. Those activities include him -- until last week -- standing firmly with US President Donald Trump, and overseeing efforts to cut down US departments and agencies. He has also lent public support to Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and came under criticism for making a repeated gesture with an out-thrust arm interpreted by many historians to be a Nazi salute. "Because of Elon Musk's actions... Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right 'totems', to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle," GKA said in a statement. The perception of the Teslas they leased "prevents them from fully enjoying their car", it said. Most of the leases run for four years, with an option at the end to buy the vehicle. Tesla cars in Europe and elsewhere have been targeted by vandals, with some drivers reporting they have been insulted for using what is sometimes called on social media a "swasti-car". Several owners have taken to putting stickers on their Teslas reading "I bought this before Elon went crazy". "The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners," Klugman told AFP. "Musk's political positions have interrupted enjoyment" of the vehicles, and "we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold", he said. Contacted by AFP for comment, Tesla did not immediately respond. tsz/jum/rmb/ach
CNN
11 hours ago
- CNN
Friedrich Merz
Here's a look at the life Friedrich Merz, chancellor of Germany. Birth date: November 11, 1955 Birth place: Brilon, Germany Birth name: Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz Father: Joachim Merz, judge Mother: Paula Sauvigny Marriage: Charlotte Gass (1981-present) Children: Three Education: Studied law at the University of Bonn and the University of Marburg, graduating in 1985. Military service: 1975–1976 Religion: Catholic Merz has a hardline stance on migration. He has called for asylum-seekers arriving from other European Union member states to be rejected at Germany's land borders. Merz has criticized liberal welfare benefits. He has promised to slash welfare spending, telling The Economist in a rare sit-down interview in the lead-up to the election that he wants to avoid 'paying people who are not willing to work.' In 2003, Merz argued that German tax rules should be simple enough to calculate on the back of a beer coaster. Merz is an amateur pilot. 1972 – Joins the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). 1985-1986 - Judge at Saarbrücken District Court. 1986-1989 - Lawyer for the German Chemical Industry Association. 1989 – Is elected to the European Parliament. 1994 – Wins a seat in the Bundestag. 2000 – Loses to Angela Merkel in a CDU party leadership election. 2009 - Merz leaves the Bundestag and joins the private sector, working as a lawyer. 2021 – Returns to his previous seat in the Bundestag. January 2022 - After two failed bids for CDU party leadership, in 2018 and 2021, Merz is selected to lead the party. February 23, 2025 – CDU and its sister party wins the federal election. Merz will likely be the next chancellor of Germany. April 9, 2025 - Announces he will form a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD). May 6, 2025 – Merz is approved as chancellor of Germany. He had fallen six votes short earlier in the day.
CNN
11 hours ago
- CNN
Friedrich Merz
Here's a look at the life Friedrich Merz, chancellor of Germany. Birth date: November 11, 1955 Birth place: Brilon, Germany Birth name: Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz Father: Joachim Merz, judge Mother: Paula Sauvigny Marriage: Charlotte Gass (1981-present) Children: Three Education: Studied law at the University of Bonn and the University of Marburg, graduating in 1985. Military service: 1975–1976 Religion: Catholic Merz has a hardline stance on migration. He has called for asylum-seekers arriving from other European Union member states to be rejected at Germany's land borders. Merz has criticized liberal welfare benefits. He has promised to slash welfare spending, telling The Economist in a rare sit-down interview in the lead-up to the election that he wants to avoid 'paying people who are not willing to work.' In 2003, Merz argued that German tax rules should be simple enough to calculate on the back of a beer coaster. Merz is an amateur pilot. 1972 – Joins the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). 1985-1986 - Judge at Saarbrücken District Court. 1986-1989 - Lawyer for the German Chemical Industry Association. 1989 – Is elected to the European Parliament. 1994 – Wins a seat in the Bundestag. 2000 – Loses to Angela Merkel in a CDU party leadership election. 2009 - Merz leaves the Bundestag and joins the private sector, working as a lawyer. 2021 – Returns to his previous seat in the Bundestag. January 2022 - After two failed bids for CDU party leadership, in 2018 and 2021, Merz is selected to lead the party. February 23, 2025 – CDU and its sister party wins the federal election. Merz will likely be the next chancellor of Germany. April 9, 2025 - Announces he will form a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD). May 6, 2025 – Merz is approved as chancellor of Germany. He had fallen six votes short earlier in the day.
