FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz speaks to the media after he reached an agreement with the Greens on a massive increase in state borrowing just days ahead of a parliamentary vote next week, in Berlin, Germany, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's constitutional court has received more legal complaints from lawmakers against plans by chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to hold a vote in parliament this week over a massive increase in state borrowing.
A spokesperson for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party said it had petitioned the country's highest court to stop the planned vote because the parliamentary budget committee will not hear external experts before the motions are brought before lawmakers.
Independent lawmaker Joana Cotar also said she had filed a complaint in order to scupper the vote, while three lawmakers from the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) plan to file a petition arguing there is insufficient time to consult on the plan, the dpa news agency reported.
Merz on Friday won the crucial backing of the Greens for the reform in borrowing rules, clearing the way for the outgoing parliament to approve the deal this week.
The constitutional court, which on Friday threw out earlier petitions against the move, could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Writing by Ludwig Burger, Editing by Friederike Heine)
