Election campaign: Scholz reprimands Habeck: push for defense budget “half-baked”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticizes Economics Minister Robert Habeck’s demand for a drastic increase in defense spending to 3.5 percent of economic output. “The idea seems a bit half-baked to me. To almost double the defense budget again from almost 80 billion euros to 140 billion euros, without saying what the money will be spent on and where it will come from,” the SPD politician told the “Stern”. Advance by the Green Party candidate for chancellor. “Who pays the bill? The citizens?” asked Scholz. In a “Spiegel” interview, Habeck called for an increase in the defense budget to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product for the coming years. All NATO alliance partners are currently expected to invest at least two percent of their gross domestic product in defense. Germany will have achieved this goal in 2024 for the first time in decades.

Scholz also once again criticized the so-called heating law for which Habeck was responsible. “It was wrong to rush through the replacement of heating systems in private houses,” said the Chancellor, adding: “I think the minister responsible also understood that his plans at the time were not good.” Scholz emphasized that when it comes to climate protection, the basic principle for him is: “Less ideology, more pragmatism”.

Scholz has “nothing general against the FDP”

In the fall, Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the FDP. The previous traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP collapsed, which ultimately initiated the process for the early federal election. This will take place on February 23rd. Scholz did not rule out the possibility that the FDP could be considered as a coalition partner again. “I have nothing general against the FDP. The great thing about democracy is democracy,” said the Chancellor. He added: “Elections are elections. Citizens decide and we politicians have to deal with the result.”

Scholz also made it clear that he would never enter into a coalition with the AfD. When asked about BSW, Sahra Wagenknecht’s party, it doesn’t sound quite as categorical. “It’s hard to imagine that with a party that seeks proximity to Russia, questions its ties to the West and NATO and wants to leave Ukraine hanging,” said the Chancellor.

In surveys, the Union is far ahead of the SPD, but Scholz is not contesting this around seven weeks before the election. “But I’m surprised that people often act as if the federal election has already taken place. I’m convinced it will turn out differently than many people think. Like in 2021,” said Scholz, referring to the Social Democrats’ successful race to catch up before the last federal election. The decision will be between the SPD and the Union, Scholz said when asked whether Habeck also has a chance.