Does the coalition last despite the ongoing disputes? CDU leader Merz has already thrown up a date for new elections. Traffic light politicians speak of an “irresponsible move”.
Traffic light politicians have sharply criticized CDU leader Friedrich Merz’s considerations about a new election in the fall in the event of a coalition breakup.
SPD parliamentary group vice-president Dirk Wiese told “Welt”: “To carelessly talk about new elections in this situation shows, above all, that Friedrich Merz has never had government responsibility in his entire political career – and that that is a very good thing. I can say that “I honestly just shake my head at this frivolous and irresponsible move.”
The parliamentary director of the Greens, Irene Mihalic, told the newspaper: “We govern successfully as a coalition and will continue to do so for the entire legislative period. People see through the fact that Friedrich Merz’s statements are once again devoting himself to party tactics instead of the challenges of this country .”
Merz brings up the date for the new election
Merz had mentioned September 22, 2024 as a possible election date in the newspapers of the Funke media group in the event that the traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP broke up prematurely. “The summer holidays would then be over everywhere, and with the state elections in Brandenburg, the day is already an election Sunday,” said the Union faction leader. The next federal election will not normally take place until autumn 2025.
The parliamentary managing director of the Union faction, Thorsten Frei, defended Merz. “In view of the poor condition of the coalition, it would be downright negligent for the opposition not to seriously prepare for a new election scenario,” the CDU politician told “Welt”. The Union is “prepared at any time” for early elections.
Dispute over Taurus delivery
The traffic light coalition argues, among other things, about support for Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, in particular about the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles. In contrast to the FDP and the Greens, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) strictly rejects this. The statement by SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich about freezing the war in Ukraine also triggered criticism from the other two coalition partners.
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Michael Roth (SPD), called on the coalition partners to work better together. “If I wanted a frozen conflict, then it would be the one in the coalition,” Roth told the “Frankfurter Rundschau” (Monday). He called for a return to “team play.” “This dispute drives me crazy because it doesn’t help us at all in terms of supporting Ukraine in the best possible way,” complained Roth.
Source: Stern
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