Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

<p>Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economy</p><p>Germany is used to running its economy with the brake on. Ever since the 2008 financial crisis Berlin has sought to burnish a reputation as the world capital of fiscal discipline, with a near-pious aversion to debt and pride in strong government finances.</p><p>Under a rule known as the “debt brake” – introduced in 2009 by Angela Merkel to show Germany was committed to balancing the books after the banking crash – the federal government is required to limit annual borrowing to 0.35% of GDP.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/21/willingness-to-ease-off-debt-brake-may-decide-the-german-election">Continue reading...</a>