German Greens want change of course in economic policy
Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th 2024, 12:00
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The German Greens are aiming for a change of course in economic and financial policy. "Germany must reinvent itself once again," said Robert Habeck, candidate for chancellor, at the presentation of the draft election program in Berlin.
Germany has lost competitiveness over the past 15 years. Investment and innovative strength must be significantly increased, he said. Habeck also called for lessons to be learned from the time of the failed "traffic light" government consisting of the SPD, Greens and FDP.
Investments worth billions
Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are in favor of reforming the debt brake. This should enable credit-financed investments worth billions, for example to bring the infrastructure up to scratch. The co-leader of the Greens, Franziska Brantner, also mentioned tax relief for companies and a reduction in energy taxes.
Habeck, who is also the German Minister for Economic Affairs, said that the major challenges of the future could not be achieved through budget savings alone. "Anyone who says that is taking the country for a ride." In addition to reforming the debt brake, the Greens wanted to close tax loopholes and increase taxes for billionaires.
Habeck wants a new style
Habeck said that the failure of the traffic light, the failure of the "Scholz government" went beyond differences of content. It must be a task to think about the style of politics. "Anyone who wants to lead a government must be able to bring together different interests." This will determine the success of the future.
Not only do you have to be convinced of yourself, but you also have to put your political competitors in a position where you are prepared to put aside your "self-importance" for the common cause.
The "traffic light" coalition collapsed at the beginning of November due to the dispute over the 2025 budget. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), who did not want to relax the German debt brake. On Monday, Scholz lost the vote of confidence in the Bundestag, paving the way for new elections in February.
©Keystone/SDA
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