BERLIN, March 8. /TASS/. The Social Democratic Party of Germany and the conservative bloc between the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union proclaimed that they see enhancing the country's defense capabilities as one of the main goals of their potential ruling coalition.
That’s according to a statement that the parties put out following their preliminary coalition talks, which was reported by Bild.
"Our goal is to increase Germany's internal and external defense capabilities, invest heavily in our infrastructure and create the basis for long-term and sustainable growth," the statement said. "We want to assume the responsibility in Europe and, alongside our partners, increase the EU's defense capabilities and competitiveness."
"Germany remains on the side of Ukraine," the parties also said.
In order to bankroll the needs of the Bundeswehr, the Conservatives and the Social Democrats plan to relax the debt brake - a rule that prohibits spending more money from the budget than it receives - and raise money from other sources, including a new 500 billion euros fund for revamping infrastructure. Military spending above 1% of GDP is not expected to be subject to the debt brake restrictions.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a speech before the national Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the European rearmament plan, which was adopted at the EU summit in Brussels on March 6, is set to boost the German military to be Europe’s largest, a rank it has not held since World War II.