Merz Is Optimistic German Spending Plan Will Clear Hurdles

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz said he’s “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, whose support he needs.

Merz, who aims to succeed Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the coming weeks, acknowledged that parallel talks with the Greens to secure the defense and infrastructure spending package and coalition talks with the Social Democrats are proving “demanding.” But he expressed confidence that his agenda would prevail.