Coalition: Traffic light: Criticism of Lindner paper – accusation of “indiscretion”

A policy paper by FDP leader Lindner on a realignment of economic policy is fueling speculation that the traffic light government will soon end. It became known in the middle of the coalition’s dispute over the right course of economic and financial policy. Politicians from the SPD and the Greens immediately made it clear that they did not consider Lindner’s paper to be helpful. Lindner himself complained that the paper had become public because of “an indiscretion.” Initially, it should only have been discussed in the closest circles of the federal government, he wrote in an email to party friends that was available to the German Press Agency. “Bild” had previously reported on it. Union politicians once again called for the way to be cleared for new elections to the Bundestag.

Call for an “economic turnaround” in Germany

Lindner’s paper calls for an “economic turnaround” with a “partly fundamental revision of key political decisions” in order to avert damage to Germany as a business location. As an immediate measure, the final abolition of the solidarity surcharge for high earners, an immediate stop to all new regulations and a change of course in climate policy are called for. “Germany needs a realignment of its economic policy,” it is said. This should be of a fundamental nature. In doing so, Lindner distanced himself from parts of the previous traffic light policy.

SPD politician criticizes “neoliberal rhetoric”

There was loud criticism of the concept from the SPD parliamentary group. The SPD parliamentary group’s labor market and social policy spokesman, Martin Rosemann, told the “Tagesspiegel”: “We don’t need papers now, but rather joint action to help the industry quickly and give security. Above all, we don’t need any opposition in the Government.” The SPD MP Nils Schmid spoke of “neoliberal rhetoric”. The FDP does not have answers to the pressing questions, such as how industrial jobs can be preserved and the price of industrial electricity can be reduced.

SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch refrained from assessing the content of Lindner’s proposals, who is also Finance Minister. “It is now important that the process is supported in a constructive and solution-oriented manner by everyone involved,” Miersch told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour also expressed caution: “We Greens are always ready to discuss serious proposals from the coalition partners for the benefit of our country,” he told the news portal “t-online” and the Funke newspapers. “In the end, the result is achieved when the proposals do justice to the seriousness of the situation.”

The deputy parliamentary group leader of the Greens in the Bundestag, Andreas Audretsch, was clearer: “The paper is a smokescreen. It would be more important that the finance minister takes care of the budget.” There will be a crucial meeting of the Bundestag Budget Committee in mid-November regarding the budget for 2025. There are billions in gaps that need to be closed.

Traffic light argues about measures for the economy

The German economy is in crisis. There are different ideas about additional measures to stimulate the economy. There is also the question of how these should be financed. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had invited people to an industrial summit, but neither Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) nor Finance Minister Lindner were invited. The FDP parliamentary group had organized a kind of counter-summit with associations. Habeck, in turn, had once again proposed a billion-dollar, debt-financed sovereign wealth fund to promote investments by companies.

Lindner also referred to this in his email to party friends. “Last week, Robert Habeck made public his proposals for overcoming the challenges, including a loan-financed special fund,” he wrote. “With my concept, I propose an alternative decision for our country. We will now advise the government and coalition in the overall context.”

CDU politician Frei thinks paper is the “ultimate divorce certificate”

Union politicians, on the other hand, see the traffic light as the end. The Parliamentary Managing Director of the Union in the Bundestag, Thorsten Frei (CDU), told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday): “It is time for the government to finally clear the way for new elections. It would be the last service they would give our country could prove.” Frei described Lindner’s paper as the “ultimate divorce certificate.” After this clap, Olaf Scholz can hardly go back to business as usual.

The chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP), CSU politician Manfred Weber, told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “We need an effective federal government and new elections in Germany as quickly as possible.” The traffic light government will no longer be able to bring Europe together and significantly strengthen it. “I no longer see Chancellor Scholz’s ability to lead.”