The coalition peace is currently being put to the test: SPD, Greens and FDP are fighting all kinds of conflicts. The time of great togetherness is obviously over.
Not like that, not with us, nothing to do: the traffic light parties are drifting apart on more and more issues, dashing forward with announcements or slowing down the coalition partners with rejections. The time of great community and unity is obviously over.
While the SPD, Greens and FDP wanted to “overcome the status quo” (on an equal footing” () about a time ago, after 187 days in government there are signs of a new willfulness among the coalition members.
Many conflicts in the traffic light coalition
All sorts of conflicts are fought out in the coalition, there is trouble everywhere:
- Out for the combustion engine. Seal that from 2035, the EU member states still have to agree to the proposal – or more precisely their governments. The project “does not meet our approval”, . Finance Minister and FDP party leader Lindner was also critical. The statements by the FDP are in contrast to what Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) said in Brussels in March: she had expressly supported last year’s decision on behalf of the federal government – which also means using combustion engines in cars and vans to be completed by 2035.
- corona policy. What’s next after September 23? The Infection Protection Act is expiring, in which, among other things, questions about the obligation to wear a mask can be regulated. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wants to prepare a possible mask requirement from autumn, but . Finance Minister Lindner warns that he wants to wait for the results of a commission of experts, while Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Greens) warns that the Liberals are allowed to prepare for Corona. “I recommend the Greens to return to fact-based politics instead of continuing to pursue fear-based politics”, .
- nuclear power. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has once again emphasized his no to nuclear power and ruled out extending the life of nuclear power plants. In energy policy “we continue to exclude nuclear power”, . Nevertheless, FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai asked in one of the “energy policy challenges”: “Can we categorically rule out an extension of the nuclear power plants?” Germany should “not shut itself off from a debate”, . The Greens do it anyway: They don’t want to know anything about an exit from the exit. “An extension of the service life can only be achieved, if at all, with cutbacks in nuclear power plant safety. This is out of the question for the Federal Environment Ministry, which is responsible for nuclear safety,” the newspaper quoted a spokesman for Environment Minister Lemke as saying.
- excess profit tax. Despite tax cuts, fuel prices have only fallen temporarily in many places, and mineral oil companies have been criticized. The SPD and the Greens want to siphon off their “excess profits” through an additional levy on the extra profits from the Ukraine war, but the FDP opposes this. In sharp words: “The constant demands for new taxes from the SPD and the Greens are shocking and are on the same level as the Left Party,” said General Secretary Djir-Sarai. Also Minister of Finance Lindner. Nevertheless, the Greens and SPD do not seem to have written off the idea yet: Greens co-leader Ricarda Lang said that she wanted to continue discussing it with the coalition partners, including .
- debt brake. Lindner wants to comply with them from 2023, for SPD co-boss Saskia Esken this will have to be discussed. With a view to possible new measures due to skyrocketing energy and food prices, she indicated the need for further new debt, about “the debt brake or other ways of financing we will have to talk in the coalition,” she said to the FDP Finance Minister Lindner replied: “We must comply with the debt brake as soon as possible! That’s why I’m sticking to it in 2023.” Without mentioning Esken by name, he wrote: “My impression is that not everyone in politics has understood that we are also experiencing an economic turning point that will keep us very busy.”
- fuel price strategy. The tank discount continues to cause resentment. Despite the tax cut, fuel prices remain high and the coalition is struggling to find a solution. Economics Minister Habeck now wants to present proposals for stricter antitrust law and will take responsibility “to make the mess a little less big.” A nod to the FDP, . Finance Minister Lindner defended the tank discount and was pleased “that Robert Habeck has now picked up the ball.” Meanwhile, SPD co-boss Esken brought tough measures such as a temporary speed limit and driving bans into play. A reply was not long in coming: “The ban on Sunday visits to grandma and grandpa is not a family-friendly policy and would separate people from each other in the country instead of bringing them together,” the newspaper quoted FDP parliamentary group leader Carina Konrad as saying.
Teaser image: John MacDougall/AFP
The sales movements are also likely to be a consequence of the past state elections, which meant an initial assessment of the politics and profile of the parties – and knew clear winners: CDU and Greens.
Both parties are now setting up black-green alliances in Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia, even while the Social Democrats and Liberals are losing approval in the latest polls. In short: The Greens benefit, the SPD and FDP now obviously want to distinguish themselves in order to become more visible and present.
An ominous mix: The Greens are bursting with strength and self-confidence, while the SPD and FDP are struggling to gain recognition. The tone in the traffic light alliance could become sharper, and the new individuality could culminate in even tougher disputes. The conflicts would not diminish then.
Source: Stern
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