PARTEIATLAS

An independent field guide to Germany’s political parties

Federal politics2025 election edition

Issue deep dive

Debt & investment

The central disagreement is whether Germany should keep the debt brake largely unchanged or permit more borrowing for infrastructure, industry and the climate transition.

Where the parties stand

Compare a smaller selection →

CDU

Christian Democratic Union · centre-right · Christian-democratic / conservative / market-oriented

Party profile

Keep debt brake, with selective investment tools; fiscal discipline.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: lower business taxation toward a maximum 25%, remove the remaining solidarity surcharge, reduce bureaucracy and make overtime supplements tax-free.

CSU

Christian Social Union in Bavaria · centre-right / conservative · Bavaria-only sister party of CDU

Party profile

Broadly same.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6][41]

SPD

Social Democratic Party · centre-left · social democratic

Party profile

Reform debt brake for investment.

Manifesto and profile sources: [10]

Related manifesto details

  • Investment: a “Deutschlandfonds” beginning at €100bn for housing, grids, charging and other infrastructure; reform debt rules to enable more investment.

Greens

Bündnis 90/Die Grünen · centre-left / progressive · green politics

Party profile

Modernise debt brake; borrow/invest more.

Manifesto and profile sources: [13]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: a Germany Fund for infrastructure and industrial transformation; modernise the debt brake to permit more future investment.

AfD

Alternative für Deutschland · right-populist / nationalist; significant far-right currents

Party profile

Keep debt brake; oppose climate-related spending.

Manifesto and profile sources: [16]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy & welfare: large tax cuts including ending the solidarity surcharge and inheritance tax; maintain the debt brake; stronger work obligations for long-term basic-income recipients; simultaneously expand some family/pension benefits.

Die Linke

The Left · left / democratic-socialist

Party profile

Abolish debt brake.

Manifesto and profile sources: [21]

Related manifesto details

  • Fiscal policy: abolish the debt brake and finance large public investment.

FDP

Free Democratic Party · liberal / market-liberal

Party profile

Strict debt brake; reject EU debt union.

Manifesto and profile sources: [24]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: broad tax and contribution cuts, fewer subsidies, deregulation and stronger private investment.
  • Budget: strict adherence to the constitutional debt brake and opposition to a European debt union.

BSW

Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht – Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit · economically left + socio-culturally conservative

Party profile

More public investment; less orthodox on borrowing than FDP/Union.

Manifesto and profile sources: [27]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: more state investment and industrial protection, action against dominant corporations, opposition to privatisation in health/housing and lower energy costs.

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