Traffic light dispute: Lindner proposal annoys coalition members – Union wants new elections

After Christian Lindner’s economic policy paper became known, politicians from the other traffic light parties called on the FDP leader to focus on his work as Federal Finance Minister. Union politicians took the coalition members’ dispute as an opportunity to once again call for early elections.

“The FDP passes a position paper every month. It can do it, but the coalition can’t always deal with it,” said the chairwoman of the Green parliamentary group, Katharina Dröge, to the Editorial Network Germany (RND). “What we need instead is a finance minister who will do his job and close the billion-dollar gap in the budget.”

The social policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Martin Rosemann, told the “Tagesspiegel”: “We don’t need papers now, but rather joint action to quickly help the industry and give security. Above all, we don’t need any opposition in the government.”

Lindner wants an “economic turnaround”

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.

In contrast to the coalition partners of the FDP, Union faction deputy Mathias Middelberg (CDU) likes many of the suggestions from the Lindner paper. He told the German Press Agency that “a stop to bureaucracy, a reduction in corporate taxes, a restructuring of the promotion of renewable energies, more extensive storage of greenhouse gases through CCS, a fundamental reform of citizens’ money” and a limit on the increase in social security contributions make sense. “A new government will definitely have to address these issues,” he added.

Söder claims to have heard “the death knell of the traffic light” ringing

CSU leader Markus Söder spoke out in favor of an early federal election. “The only thing that counts now is new elections – immediately,” the Bavarian Prime Minister told “Bild”. “It’s over: the death knell of the traffic light is ringing. A government that sends papers against each other is incapable of taking action and is an embarrassment to our country. It’s time to pull the plug and end the ignoble spectacle. Every day longer is damaging Germany.” If Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) does not have the strength to end his coalition, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier must intervene.

The parliamentary managing director of the Union faction in the Bundestag, Thorsten Frei (CDU), told the “Rheinische Post”: “It is time for the government to finally clear the way for new elections. It would be the last service it could do for our country.”

There are different ideas in the coalition about additional measures to stimulate the sluggish economy. Competing events and uncoordinated demands fuel the dispute.

Buschmann and Dürr defend Lindner’s suggestions

Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) rejected the accusation that Lindner had added fuel to the fire with his paper, which has now become known. “The Minister of Economic Affairs said that the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act had to be attacked with a chainsaw. The Chancellor said that it had to go,” he wrote on Because that would save a lot of bureaucracy.

FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr told broadcaster RTL/n-tv: “With his proposal, Christian Lindner has made an honest offer that is both affordable and meets the companies’ expectations.” This should now be discussed within the coalition.