After the traffic light crash, red-green without a majority
Published: Thursday, Nov 7th 2024, 06:00
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After the dramatic collapse of the "traffic light" coalition, the pieces are being swept up today. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), who was fired by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) after an unprecedented rift, will receive his certificate of dismissal from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier this afternoon. Scholz, who has accused Lindner of multiple breaches of trust and pettiness, will probably be present - at least that is the custom.
In order to ensure a smooth transition, Lindner's successor will receive the certificate of appointment immediately afterwards. The name is already known, but has not yet been made public. The posts that will become vacant following the announced resignation of the other three FDP ministers may also be filled today - two each by the SPD and the Greens.
Return of red-green after 19 years
This means that there will be a red-green government for the first time since 2005, although it will not have a majority in parliament. It will only exist for a transitional phase, although it is not yet known exactly how long it will last. On January 15, Scholz wants to call a vote of confidence in the Bundestag in order to bring about a new election. This must take place by the beginning of April at the latest due to two deadlines totaling 81 days that are anchored in the Basic Law. The most likely date is currently March 30, as none of the federal states are on vacation.
The break-up of the first coalition between the SPD, Greens and FDP at federal level took place on Wednesday evening after a bitter dispute over the future course of economic and budgetary policy. During the negotiations, Scholz had called for the debt brake to be suspended once again, among other things. In view of the muddled situation, Lindner then proposed at the meeting of the coalition committee with all party and parliamentary group leaders on Wednesday evening that a new Bundestag election be initiated jointly.
During a subsequent break in the session, Lindner's proposal ended up in the public domain, several media outlets reported on it, whereupon Scholz asked the Federal President to dismiss his finance minister. In response, the FDP withdrew all its ministers from the three-party alliance, which had been hopelessly divided for many months - and thus sealed the end of the traffic light.
Scholz gets tough with Lindner
The Chancellor's speech, in which he announced Lindner's dismissal, had obviously been prepared for some time and was later praised by many party colleagues as the best performance of his time in office. Above all, it was a hard-hitting reckoning with the Finance Minister.
Scholz accused Lindner of drowning out compromises during their time in government by publicly staging disputes and blocking laws in an irrelevant manner. "He has too often engaged in petty party political tactics. He has broken my trust too often." There is therefore no basis for further cooperation. "Serious government work is not possible like this."
At an SPD parliamentary group meeting, Scholz was then celebrated with standing applause and rhythmic clapping. A moment that the Chancellor has probably only rarely experienced in his party career. The 66-year-old's relationship with his party is considered cool.
Lindner hits back: "Calculated break"
The dismissed FDP leader returned the accusations to Scholz. The SPD politician had deliberately caused the break-up of the traffic light coalition. "His carefully prepared statement this evening proves that Olaf Scholz was no longer interested in reaching an agreement that would be viable for everyone, but in a calculated break-up of this coalition," said Lindner. Scholz was thus leading Germany into a phase of uncertainty.
Lindner accused the SPD and the Greens of not even accepting his proposals for improving the economic situation as a basis for consultation. Scholz had long played down the economic concerns of citizens. "His counter-proposals are dull, unambitious and make no contribution to overcoming the fundamental weakness of growth in our country so that we can maintain our prosperity, our social security and our ecological responsibility."
Scholz had ultimately demanded that he suspend the debt brake in the Basic Law, Lindner said. "I could not agree to this because it would have violated my oath of office. That is why the Federal Chancellor terminated his cooperation with me and the FDP at the coalition committee meeting this evening."
Parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr announced that all FDP ministers would submit their resignations to the Federal President. In addition to Lindner, this includes Transport Minister Volker Wissing, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.
New alliances: Scholz suddenly wants to approach Merz
As of today, the SPD and Greens will govern without a majority and are dependent on support from the opposition for every decision in parliament. The CDU/CSU therefore has a special role to play.
During the transition phase, Scholz wants to offer the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Friedrich Merz (CDU), the opportunity to quickly work together to find solutions to strengthen the economy and defense. "I will now very quickly seek talks with the leader of the opposition, with Friedrich Merz," said the Chancellor. He wanted to offer Merz the opportunity to work together constructively on two or even more issues "that are crucial for our country: On the rapid strengthening of our economy and our defense."
The economy cannot wait until new elections have taken place, added Scholz, adding: "And we now need clarity on how we can solidly finance our security and defense in the coming years without jeopardizing cohesion in the country." In view of the elections in America, this is "perhaps more urgent than ever". Donald Trump won the presidential election in the USA shortly before the traffic light crash.
It remains to be seen how far the chancellor will get with his advances to the CDU/CSU. Scholz and Merz are competing for the chancellorship in the next election. Their personal relationship is considered to be rather shattered after pithy arguments in the Bundestag. Merz once described Scholz as a "plumber of power". And as recently as September, Scholz told the CDU leader to his face during the Bundestag's general debate: "You can't do it, that's the truth we're facing."
Söder: "No more time must be lost now"
The CDU/CSU is already calling for a general election as soon as possible. "The traffic light is history. No more time can be lost now," wrote Söder on the short message service X. Germany now needs new elections and a new government as soon as possible. "There must be no tactical delays."
©Keystone/SDA
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