CDU and SPD have persuaded the Greens to lift the debt brake, allowing the state to take out large loans. This contravenes the German constitution and requires a two-thirds majority to pass in the Bundestag. With the support of the Greens, the government has fulfilled the necessary conditions.

A fund of EUR 500 billion will be set aside for transportation. Furthermore, the country’s military defence will be upgraded. A significant factor is probably the desire to boost the German economy.

But living on credit is not something that appeals to Germans. They haven’t forgotten the superinflation of the Weimar Republic.

The drafted agreement has now been sent to Germany’s finance ministry for further consideration, according to sources in the German Bundestag. Another source told Reuters that some of the details of the agreement still need to be finalised.