Union and Greens: Lindner warns Merz against being close to Habeck and “carrying on like this”

During the federal election campaign, FDP leader Christian Lindner personally addressed “dear Friedrich Merz” in an online video and warned the CDU leader against rapprochement with the Greens. If Merz now openly shows that the Green Robert Habeck can remain economics minister, “then that could be a sign that it is only a matter of a form of ‘business as usual’ – and not about the fundamental change that we are in our country needs,” said Lindner.

Merz said on the ARD program “Maischberger” on Wednesday evening that Germany needed a policy change, especially in economic policy. “With Habeck or without Habeck. Habeck has to decide that if he is still there.” CSU boss Markus Söder had also already opposed Merz and said: “With the CSU there is no longer a black-green coalition, no more Robert Habeck as economics minister.” CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann said that Merz was only referring to the fact that when coalitions are formed, the parties are always responsible for who becomes minister.

In the video, Lindner also defended himself against criticism from Merz of his statements that the ultra-liberal Argentine President Javier Milei and tech billionaire Elon Musk could serve as role models in some respects. Turning to Merz, Lindner said he neither wanted to copy their every opinion nor adopt their style.

“But one is the most successful entrepreneur of today and the person responsible for reducing bureaucracy in the USA. And the other has the courage to make fundamental reforms to get his run-down country back on track.” Lindner continued: “This shouldn’t lead to horror, but to curiosity. Because maybe you can learn something from them – if you really want to change something.”