Angela Merkel criticizes traffic lights: “Men”

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) criticizes the reaction of her successor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in connection with the break in the traffic light government and the expulsion of Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP). “When Olaf Scholz made such an unvarnished statement, there was a bit of unease in the audience. Some thought: If our Chancellor is so out of control – oh god – then how bad things are for our country,” Merkel told Spiegel “.

When asked whether Scholz had violated the dignity of his office with his appearance, Merkel replied: “I wouldn’t have said it if I thought it was a prime example of dignity.”

The Chancellor leads the constitutional body, the Federal Government, said Merkel. “His office has a dignity and that should always guide you.” As Chancellor you have to deal with tough conditions. “You feel a lot of emotions, but it’s better if you scream at the wall in your office than the German public.” Her spontaneous thought when she saw the arguments between Scholz and Lindner was: “Men!” When asked what struck her as typically male, Merkel said: “For example, taking things personally. You should avoid that in politics as much as possible.”

Scholz had thrown Lindner out of the cabinet on November 6th after a dispute over the direction of economic and budget policy, whereupon the FDP withdrew its ministers from the alliance with the SPD and the Greens. Scholz accused the FDP chairman of irresponsible behavior and said of the minister: “Too often he has used small-minded party political tactics. Too often he has broken my trust.” Serious government work is not possible.

At an SPD parliamentary group meeting, Scholz received loud applause for his actions. Scholz wants to ask the Bundestag a vote of confidence on December 16th. If, as expected, he does not receive a majority, the election will take place on February 23rd.

She “never experienced the FDP as a simple coalition partner,” said Merkel, who governed with the FDP in her 16 years as chancellor from 2009 to 2013. With a view to her failed negotiations in 2017 about a so-called Jamaica alliance made up of the Union, the Greens and the FDP, the former head of government said: “Jamaica would have been a lot of work and I would have had to spend a lot more time on the various partners. But the question has been answered “It wasn’t asked because Mr. Lindner didn’t want to.” Merkel’s memoirs entitled “Freedom” will be published this Tuesday.