Mr Merz’s conservatives and the Social Democrats are in negotiations to form a government after February's election. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Under Germany's constitution, Merz needs a two-thirds majority to get the changes passed. With the support of the Greens and Social Democrats, he should succeed. Urgent motions by both the AfD and the Left to challenge next week's sessions of the outgoing parliament failed at the constitutional court on Friday, enabling the vote to go ahead.

A new deal with the Greens could allow for as much as €1 trillion in new spending for defense and infrastructure over the next decade.