German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was set to make a last-ditch attempt on Friday to convince the Greens of his plans for a massive increase in state borrowing to bolster defence and infrastructure ahead of a parliamentary vote next week.

Friedrich Merz and his prospective coalition partner the SPD’s plan to boost infrastructure spending and soften the debt brake treatment of defence spending

Germany's Greens may refuse to back plans by likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz for a massive increase in state borrowing, with a party source on Monday warning "approval is becoming less likely with each passing day".

Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz urged sceptical lawmakers on Thursday to back his proposals for a massive increase in state borrowing, framing them as a test for Germany to stand tall on the world stage and safeguard European security.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz said he was “very optimistic” that a landmark debt-spending package will be approved after a parliamentary debate on Thursday laid bare a deep rift with the Greens,