Traffic light coalition before “endurance test”: This is how the press judges the exploratory paper

The SPD, the Greens and the FDP have agreed on common principles in order to negotiate for the first time at the federal level on the formation of a traffic light coalition. “A departure is possible here – supported by the three parties,” said SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz on Friday in Berlin at the presentation of the exploratory results. The SPD executive board unanimously approved the joint resolution paper that afternoon. The Greens evaluate this on Sunday at a small party congress, the FDP on Monday through the party executive. If all responsible bodies agree, the formal coalition negotiations should begin next week. If possible, they should be completed before Christmas.

“We are convinced that we can conclude an ambitious and sustainable coalition agreement,” says the twelve-page result paper. This outlines joint projects in areas such as climate protection, digitization, social security and housing construction. The important question of financing these projects, however, remained open for the time being. This is also a thorn in the side of many media. An overview of the press reviews.

“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: The “progressive coalition”, as it was christened, is well on its way to becoming a government bank. Anyone who heard how their representatives praised each other and raved about the spirit of togetherness and mutual respect that permeated their talks can only ask why the three parties in the federal government did not come together until 2021. According to the exploratory paper, they actually managed to come to an understanding in a short time, even on fields where very different ideas collide. The Greens, FDP and SPD did not become blood brothers with this paper either. How sustainable the new political culture is, which they want to have established, will only be known when the honeymoon is over.

“Frankfurter Rundschau”: If the traffic lights keep what the explorers have promised in the next four years, the SPD, Greens and FDP could create what is probably the “largest industrial modernization project of the past 100 years” with the “turning point in Germany’s political culture”. However, you should not rely on it. Because they have not yet revealed how they want to finance a socially just, digital and climate-neutral transformation of society. The union and the company have rarely agreed on what they believe to be the necessary sum of 500 billion euros by 2030. That’s around 50 additional billion annually. It is more than questionable whether the “fiscal leeway for what is necessary” is sufficient.

“daily newspaper”: The green handwriting is pale overall. The climate chapter is high up in the traffic light paper. And the 1.5 degree target is defined as “our central common task”. But when it comes to the question of which instruments should be used to achieve this, the picture is still vague. Some things, like this one and the green energy money, do not even appear in the paper. All eyes were on incompatibilities between the SPD, which had moved to the left, and the Lindner FDP. The Greens have to be careful not to fall behind in the coalition deal. Without binding plans for climate protection, the traffic light house is not worth much.

“Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”: There is no doubt that there will still be considerable difficulties on the way to the traffic lights. First of all, this is in the nature of things, since top politicians must also demonstrate to their own members in negotiations that they fought hard. Second, the exploratory paper shows rough paths. But there is still a lot of work to be done by the likely government partners. The FDP got its red lines – no changes to the debt brake and no tax increases either. Now, not only to identify superfluous subsidies and expenditures, but also to push through their removal against protests by interest groups, is a tough political job. The exploratory paper is melodious prose. The endurance test in practice is still ahead.

“Mittelbayerische Zeitung”: The coalition’s position paper breathes the motto: everyone gets something that is particularly important to them, but not everyone gets everything. The Greens and the SPD, for example, have to say goodbye to higher taxes for the wealthy, to the 130 speed limit on motorways or to public insurance. While the Liberals have to accept heavy government investments or grants against galloping electricity prices. There is still only the rough direction in which the future government traffic light will flash. But the three partners are already making the self-tearing and headless Union look old. Jamaica has been even further afield since Friday.

“Mitteldeutsche Zeitung”: If, in the end, the SPD, Greens and FDP also learn from each other’s point of view, Germany could benefit greatly in dealing with major political issues. In an increasingly fragmented society, in which individual groups discuss primarily with themselves on social media, a cross-camp coalition can create new spaces for discourse. That would then be a double departure: towards mastering reforms, but also towards a new social coexistence.

“Nürnberger Nachrichten”: If it is actually possible to forge a coalition on this basis, the indictment would become an extremely ambitious future paper. Because instead of formula compromises, which would have been expected after the explorations of three unequal parties, those involved set the bar high. When the traffic lights come, the country, as FDP leader Lindner pathetically puts it, is facing a “turning point in political culture”. Because until now this culture has stood for the lowest common denominator when it comes to new federal governments. SPD, Greens and FDP want more. The coming weeks will have to show whether such a courageous alliance can actually be forged.

“Stuttgarter Nachrichten”: In political speed dating, the Greens and Yellows have made great use of their opportunity to present themselves as the driving force of this eco-social-liberal coalition right from the start. Serious, discreet, ready for consensus, responsible, consistent. Billions of euros for new climate investments without additional tax burdens: It will soon become clear what is more than just well-intentioned and formulated. The FDP in particular will have a hard time if it – almost inevitably – feels more like the liberal thorn in the red-green flesh than a market-based fig leaf.

“New Osnabrück Newspaper”: At first glance, the FDP made some points in these explorations, and also at the second. Anyone who reads through the statements on economic policy and tax ideas will notice that, apart from the higher minimum wage, significant liberal ideas have found expression. These signals are important. The SPD will work through its program and the Chancellor and has kept its minimum wage promise. A large part of the ambitious climate projects is benefiting the Greens. The courtesy towards the liberals can be read primarily as a signal to society as a whole and therefore also to the Union’s voters: Yes, someone wants change here. But nobody should be snubbed or even symbolically humiliated.

“Weser-Kurier” (Bremen): The SPD, Greens and FDP can each claim passages in the twelve-page closing paper. Social democrats will find themselves in the goals on social policy, greens can enjoy the chapter on climate policy, the handwriting of liberals can be found in the comments on financial and tax policy. But the talks were not a request concert either, so the Greens could not enforce the 130 speed limit.

“Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung” (Heidelberg): If you read that and hear the sound of the negotiators, you ask yourself why the SPD, Greens and FDP did not campaign together at the same time. Because everything fits together there. From the renouncement of higher taxes on assets to the reform of the pension system to sustainable agriculture, the desired coalition partners present sensible concepts. And the fact that they are foregoing the populist club of a speed limit signals that three parties have found each other that rely less on bans than on incentives in their political style. Feels good.

“Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung”: If, in the end, the SPD, Greens and FDP are ready to learn from each other’s point of view, Germany could benefit greatly in dealing with major political issues. The challenges posed by the fight against climate change are so great that it is wise to think through them from different perspectives and then decide.

“Südkurier”: Not bad, that’s sporty. The votes for the Bundestag election are hardly counted when the traffic light sprinters present their key points. You have committed yourself to the future, and it should now come very quickly. This cannot be done without harmony and sympathy between the negotiators, which is why their agenda is smoothly polished and finely balanced. You approach the matter with give and take, which is an old custom in these rounds. The SPD gets its 12 euro minimum wage, while the FDP can celebrate the defense against left tax increase plans as a success. The label “Bürgergeld” for Hartz IV does not cost anyone to overcome and sounds like social participation. So do citizens have to be prepared for unreasonable demands? It doesn’t look like it. But the hardship is already on the Germans, inflation and economic dip are already saluting. The traffic light will soon have to be more specific. So far it still flashes in good weather mode.