Germany’s outgoing prime minister Olaf Scholz praised a multibillion-dollar spending plan that passed the federal army on Tuesday, a major contribution to European defense efforts.
Scholz said at a meeting with Berlin French President Emmanuel Macron that the parliament made a “historic decision that would enable Germany to fulfill its responsibilities”.
“By making three amendments to the Constitution, we have broken the shackles that have so far prevented us from spending enough on defense,” Scholz added. “These resolutions are important, right, and appropriate.”
Macron congratulated Scholz on calling it “good news” in the “historic vote of the Bundestag” in Germany and Europe.
“That’s good news because it will have the potential to do more for defense, investment, and that’s what we need,” he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Saltz (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at a press conference after the Federal Prime Minister’s Meeting. Michael Kappeler/DPA
