Use upgrading in Germany: 800 billion euros against Putin's shadow

Use upgrading in Germany: 800 billion euros against Putin's shadow

Astallerstraße 11, 80339 München, Deutschland - Europe's military policy is in change. In Germany, a upgrade program with a volume of 800 billion euros is launched, on which the upcoming Merz government works together with the SPD and the Greens. The reason for this? A supposedly threatening "Russian threat". This development not only affects security policy, but also on the social situation in Germany, since at the same time reduced into education, healthcare and social benefits to justify the massive expenditure in the military area. As class against class reports , armaments corporations are already increasing share prices, while the uncertainty is growing in society: inside and young people.

What is going on in Germany is reminiscent of dark chapters of history. The armaments measures in the 1930s under Adolf Hitler resulted in huge sums to equip the Wehrmacht to a mass of 1.1 million and thus regain the large -scale position. The parallels are alarming: Even then, the military was greatly expanded with non -sustainable debt financing and inefficient programs, which ultimately led to a catastrophic war. Also Wikipedia illustrates that the upgrading of the Wehrmacht brought massive economic and social problems.

The Federal Association of the German Security and Defense Industry (BDSV) now calls for massive investments from the crisis auto industry to the armaments sector, which is favored by the planned loosening of the debt brake for defense expenditure on the part of the new black and red federal government. These developments could also result in positive economic effects, as the report of the Institute of World Economy (IFW) shows, which predicts the possibility of an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1.5 percent if the military budget is increased to 3.5 percent of GDP. The taz takes a stand and illuminates the dangers that could bring such investments.

A debt admission and the investment in the armaments industry are anything but unproblematic. Critics warn that a large part of the funds could flow into administration and salaries instead of urgently needed military equipment or research. A concern that is also shared by different economic economists. These advocate that a larger part of the military expenditure should remain in Europe in order not to burden the economy through tax increases, which in turn could inhibit growth.

What about resistance?

Protests against these developments are getting louder. Among other things, the event "Is Putin is in front of Berlin?" on June 20, 2025, which deals with the questions about these arms plans and the associated fears. There is resistance that is not only against the armaments plans, but also against repression in society, which affects the poor, migrants: inside, women and queer people. The demonstrations in various cities such as Serbia, France and Germany already show the strength of the opposition.

Overall, the question arises: How far can and does society support this upgrade policy if the social areas are drastically curtailed at the same time? And what is left if the armaments industry is in charge? It remains to be hoped that the resistance is strong enough to show a different way.