CDU/CSU accuse German government of dividing society
Published: Monday, Jan 8th 2024, 17:11
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The German sister parties CDU and CSU accuse the government of SPD, Greens and FDP of driving Germany into a division and polarization not seen for decades with their policies.
"The traffic light has become the biggest social climate risk," said CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt on Monday at the end of the CSU MPs' retreat in Seeon Monastery in Upper Bavaria, alluding to the government alliance, which is called "traffic light" after its party colors. With a view to the current farmers' protests in particular, he accused the coalition of only showing "defiant reactions". "But there needs to be a 'we understand each other' moment."
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU), who took part in the conclave at the end, emphasized: "The frustration among the population, which is now being expressed in these farmers' protests, must be resolved." Kretschmer warned: "Politics must not divide, politics must unite."
The CDU politician called on the federal government to talk to the affected farmers and solve the problems together with them. "You can only call out to this federal government: sit down with those affected. And don't talk about these people, talk to them." The government wanted to cut agricultural subsidies, but has since rowed back in part.
Dobrindt and Kretschmer said that a new election would be the better option if the traffic light coalition could not achieve this. They also referred to other unresolved problems such as unregulated immigration to Germany. "Every day that passes and it is not possible to solve things strengthens the extremists," said Kretschmer. In particular, he warned that the European elections in June could become a protest election. That must not happen.
©Keystone/SDA
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