Coalition Politics: Compromise is Key to Funding Germany’s Future

“Greening” the German economy took on greater importance in May this year, when the Merkel government announced its intention to achieve a net-zero level of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, following a ruling by the German constitutional court which challenged existing targets set out in the Federal Climate Change Act.¹ This revised ambition demands a much faster reduction in emissions than we have seen during the last decade and requires the expansion of renewable power generation on a scale that will create many political, technological and economic hurdles.

The Funding Conundrum

The “Net-Zero Germany” report from consultancy firm McKinsey & Company forecasts that €6 trillion needs to be invested to replace and maintain existing infrastructure, whilst also achieving a timely carbon neutral climate transition in Germany.²

Such a significant investment will require higher taxes or higher debt and possibly a combination of both, as Germany’s current public net fixed capital formation (public expenditure less capital depreciation) is much lower than many other developed countries. Grants from the European Union’s (EU) Next Generation Recovery Fund could provide a boost, but it would still be well short of the required spend suggested by McKinsey.

Merkel’s fiscal conservatism leaves Germany with a healthy debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio and plenty of firepower to significantly increase public spending, but it remains to be seen whether the political will exists. The left-leaning parties are open to embracing change, whilst private investment is preferred by the FDP. In a three-way coalition, one of the junior partners will likely provide the next German finance minister and heavily influence the balance between public and private funding.

Embracing Fiscal Change

Germany’s “debt brake”³ is a constitutional provision that limits federal government budget deficits to 0.35% of GDP. This forces the federal and regional governments to balance their budgets and prevents substantial discretionary fiscal spending. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a special provision allowing the brake to be relaxed, whereupon the deficit expanded sharply in 2020 and 2021 and will remain high into 2022. Consequently, the new government has limited fiscal headroom, creating a financial dilemma, particularly given commitments to carbon neutrality.

Permanent changes to the debt brake require a constitutional change, which needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers of parliament. The Green and SPD parties would support a change, whilst the FDP and CDU want to maintain the brake and reduce public debt.

The debt brake debate is being influenced by proposed reform of the EU Stability and Growth Pact, which could become more decentralized and allow EU members to set their own fiscal policy objectives. A left-leaning German government would encourage an easier policy posture and support reform. However, if agreement to reform the pact is not reached by next spring, it may restrict fiscal policy in the EU during 2023, damaging any plans for increased public sector investment.

Trade Imbalances

Germany is a global economic powerhouse thanks to globalization, but investment is needed in digitalization, technology, and infrastructure to address the growing trade imbalance with China and boost growth. Germany is reliant on exports to China yet demand for those goods and services is waning as Chinese technology improves.

Analysis from the International Monetary Fund⁴ estimates that any increase in public investment would have a proportionately greater effect on real long-term GDP, allowing Germany’s debt-to-GDP ratio to trend down over time. In the absence of substantial fiscal and capital expenditure, Germany and the euro area may continue to be laggards in the post-COVID global economy, weakening the private sector further and putting even more financial burden on the German state.

How Will Markets React?

The election outcome should not have a material impact on equity markets, in our view, although policies favored by the SPD and the Green Party such as income tax increases and a higher minimum wage could create negative sentiment amongst investors. The green transition will also influence markets, potentially hurting companies with high CO2 emission levels, for example airline and transport stocks. In contrast, the possibility of closer fiscal ties within Europe should boost eurozone trade, aiding certain banking stocks.

Any shift to the political left will likely increase volatility in bond markets, given increased uncertainty around fiscal policy. It may mean that German fiscal policy becomes more accommodative than in the past, increasing the net issuance of Bunds, which form a significant part of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) purchase programs. Ongoing ECB purchases should prevent yields rising significantly, keeping Germany’s borrowing costs manageable, although this only works if trust in the Federal Republic of Germany as a debtor with the best credit rating is maintained.

What Are the Risks?

All investments involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in an investment portfolio adjust to a rise in interest rates, the value of the portfolio may decline. Investments in foreign securities involve special risks including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in developing markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with their relatively small size and lesser liquidity.

Past performance is not an indicator or guarantee of future performance. There is no assurance that any estimate, forecast or projection will be realized.

Important Legal Information

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. This material may not be reproduced, distributed or published without prior written permission from Franklin Templeton.

The views expressed are those of the investment manager and the comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as at publication date and may change without notice. The underlying assumptions and these views are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region or market. There is no assurance that any prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets will be realized. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative nor a guarantee of future performance. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Any research and analysis contained in this material has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes and may be acted upon in that connection and, as such, is provided to you incidentally. Data from third party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton (“FT”) has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. Although information has been obtained from sources that Franklin Templeton believes to be reliable, no guarantee can be given as to its accuracy and such information may be incomplete or condensed and may be subject to change at any time without notice. The mention of any individual securities should neither constitute nor be construed as a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any securities, and the information provided regarding such individual securities (if any) is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. FT accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user.

Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered outside the U.S. by other FT affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulation permits. Please consult your own financial professional or Franklin Templeton institutional contact for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.

Issued in the U.S. by Franklin Distributors, LLC, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906, (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236, franklintempleton.com – Franklin Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, is the principal distributor of Franklin Templeton U.S. registered products, which are not FDIC insured; may lose value; and are not bank guaranteed and are available only in jurisdictions where an offer or solicitation of such products is permitted under applicable laws and regulation.

______________________________

1. Source: Bundesverfassungsgericht Press Release No. 31/2021 of April 29, 2021, “Constitutional complaints against the Federal Climate Change Act partially successful.”

2. Source: McKinsey & Company, “Germany can achieve zero emissions target cost-neutrally by 2045,” September 10, 2021.

3. Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, “Germany’s debt brake: surveillance by the Stability Council,” April 2019.

4. Source: IMF Blog, “Public Investment for the Recovery,” October 5, 2020.

© Franklin Templeton Investments

Read more commentaries by Franklin Templeton Investments