Merz: Germany’s defense spending more important than parental benefits

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that defense spending is a far more important item in the state budget than parental benefit payments.

He made the remarks in an interview with the ARD television channel.

“What good is the most generous parental benefit if we lose our freedom and peace in Europe comes under threat?” — Merz said.

Commenting on the increase in Germany’s defense spending against the backdrop of cuts to parental benefits, the chancellor also noted that the country’s armed forces are currently not at the necessary level of combat readiness. That is why Merz has placed funding for defense above social payments for Germans.

Germany previously abolished its own constitutional “debt brake” for the sake of national defense. The country was forced to borrow a record EUR 174 billion in 2026.