In an unprecedented move, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the country’s parliament to declare a state of emergency in response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The statement, made on February 13, 2025, underscores Scholz’s determination to continue supporting Ukraine amidst the escalating war with Russia, while simultaneously addressing the growing economic challenges Germany faces. His proposal seeks to relax the country’s constitutional ‘debt brake’ mechanism, a critical financial limitation that could inhibit further support for Ukraine and defense spending.

The German constitution, known as the Basic Law, enshrines strict fiscal rules under the “debt brake” (Schuldenbremse). This mechanism mandates that the government cannot take on debts exceeding 0.35% of the nation’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), except in cases of natural disasters or other extraordinary situations. Temporary exceptions to this rule have been made before, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic when the government borrowed extensively to respond to the health crisis.

Scholz has now argued that the ongoing war in Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences for both Germany and broader European security qualify as such an exceptional situation. In his press conference, he called on the Bundestag to formally classify the war as an emergency, thereby allowing for the temporary relaxation of the debt brake. This would enable Germany to allocate more resources to its defense commitments and continue its support for Ukraine without sacrificing other vital domestic priorities.

Scholz emphasized the importance of maintaining Germany’s role as a steadfast ally of Ukraine, particularly in terms of military aid, which he described as more crucial than ever. He also noted that such support should not come at the cost of fulfilling the state’s responsibilities to its citizens. In light of this, the chancellor proposed a permanent exemption for defense spending from the debt brake, allowing Germany to........

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