Merz attacks Scholz – Chancellor calls for compromises
Published: Wednesday, Nov 13th 2024, 17:40
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One week after the end of the "traffic light" system in Germany, opposition leader Friedrich Merz has opened the election campaign in the Bundestag with sharp personal attacks against Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In his response to Scholz's government statement, the CDU leader and Union candidate for chancellor denied that he had any governing or leadership skills. "You are dividing the country, Mr. Chancellor. You are the one responsible for these controversies and for this division in Germany. You simply cannot govern a country like this."
Scholz had previously defended the dismissal of his Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and the resulting end of the "traffic light" coalition (SPD, FDP, Greens) as "unavoidable" in a government statement. At the same time, he warned of a split in the country and called for a continued focus on compromise in politics. "I am convinced. The path of compromise remains the only right path."
Conclusion of the "traffic light" divorce - prelude to the election campaign
The debate marks the end of the messy divorce of the "traffic light" coalition after almost three years of marriage of convenience. Following a bitter dispute over economic and financial policy, Scholz fired his finance minister a week ago and brought about the end of the three-party alliance.
He now leads a minority government of SPD and Greens and intends to call a vote of confidence in the Bundestag on December 16. If, as expected, he does not receive a majority, a new election will be held on February 23. There are 102 days left until then for the election campaign. The government declaration was more or less the prelude to this.
No "fist on the table" policy
Scholz said that public disputes should never again be allowed to overshadow the work of the government. "Of course it doesn't work with a fist on the table," he said. He called on all democrats to work against a split in society. This is the central issue in the upcoming new election in February. "I want to avoid a situation where everyone is fighting against everyone else in terms of distribution," said the SPD politician.
He spoke out in favor of more investment in security. However, this should never be at the expense of pensions, health or care. Security and cohesion - you can't have one without the other. "This 'either or' is wrong and is leading our country astray." The "either or" is an economic stimulus program for populists and extremists. "It harms and tears Germany apart."
Scholz names list of possible resolutions
Scholz called on the Christian Democrats to pass important laws together before the dissolution of the Bundestag. "Where we are united, let us also act united. It would be good for our country," he said.
Specifically, Scholz mentioned relief from the so-called cold progression in income tax, which should apply from January 1, 2025. It is also necessary to adopt as much of the planned government initiative for more growth as quickly as possible. An increase in child benefit should also come at the beginning of 2025. The Chancellor also mentioned amendments to the Basic Law to make the Federal Constitutional Law more resistant to possible political interference.
Merz speaks of "witching hour"
In his response to Scholz, Merz spoke of a "witching hour". "What you have said here, Mr. Chancellor, is out of this world." Scholz had not understood what was going on in this country.
Scholz has no longer had a majority in the Bundestag for a week. "The logical consequence should have been for them to call a vote of confidence immediately and without delay," Merz added. Merz called Scholz's government statement proof that the Chancellor was trying "in a downright rude and reckless manner" and solely in order to achieve a supposed party tactical advantage for the SPD, to "drag out his term of office over time and extend it once again. That is unacceptable."
Söder in the Bundestag for the first time - Habeck misses debate
CSU leader Markus Söder was also due to speak for the first time as a member of the Bundesrat in the debate on the government statement "on the current situation", which was scheduled to last two hours. Party leader and designated candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel was scheduled to speak on behalf of the AfD.
Only the Greens were unable to send their likely candidate for chancellor to the debate. Due to a breakdown of the government plane in Portugal, Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) missed the government statement. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke in his place. Also present: former Finance Minister Lindner (FDP), who was fired by Scholz.
Starting position for the election campaign: CDU/CSU clearly ahead
In the next 100 days or so until the election date, it looks like a clear case for the CDU/CSU. It has been achieving a stable 30 percent or more in the polls for a year now. The SPD, the strongest governing party, is currently in third place with 16 to 18 percentage points - behind the AfD. But be careful: it was no different before the 2021 election. Just two and a half months before the election date, Scholz and the SPD were up to 16 percentage points behind the CDU/CSU. A laugh from Union chancellor candidate Armin Laschet in the flood zone turned the mood around. On September 26, the SPD finally won against the CDU/CSU with 25.7 to 24.1 percent. Scholz became chancellor of the coalition government.
The SPD is now taking heart from the tale of its 2021 triumph - and hoping Merz will make mistakes. And the others? As things stand, the Greens can expect 11 to 12 percent. The FDP is scratching at the 5% hurdle in the polls, while the Left Party is clearly below it. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) could make it into the Bundestag with current figures of 5 to 9 percent and the AfD is number 2 with 15 to 19.5 percent.
Four candidates for chancellor for the first time
For the first time, there will be four candidates for chancellor in an election campaign. Only the incumbent Chancellor Scholz has not yet decided when he can officially call himself Chancellor candidate. The party leadership asserts that he will undoubtedly be. However, at its first meeting following the end of the "traffic light" coalition on Monday, the Executive Board refrained from formally nominating him - and thus allowed the debate within the party to continue as to whether he is the right candidate.
Pistorius as a replacement candidate for Scholz?
There is a promising alternative: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has been the undisputed number one in the charts of the most popular politicians for months. Some in the party think that he is the only way to catch up with the CDU/CSU. So far, however, only some in the third and fourth ranks have dared to say this.
But even the very loyal parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich registers the unrest - and talks about it. "Yes, there is grumbling. Of course there are also these voices," Mützenich said on Tuesday evening on ZDF's "heute journal" about the doubts about Scholz. Ultimately, however, the party knows that it can only win together, he added. When asked whether this would happen with Olaf Scholz, Mützenich replied: "I am firmly convinced of that."
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