Pressure on Scholz
CDU leader Merz – “We won’t have any discussions beforehand”
08.11.2024Reading time: 2 min.
CDU leader Merz has increased the pressure on the Chancellor (SPD) to clear the way for new elections soon. He ties cooperation to one condition.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has increased the pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to clear the way for early new elections with an immediate vote of confidence in the Bundestag. Only after the vote of confidence would the Union be ready to talk about supporting certain legislative proposals that Scholz wanted, Merz said on Thursday evening on ARD’s “Brennpunkt”. “Before that, we will not have any discussions on any issue with the remaining government.”
Despite the breakup of the traffic light coalition, Scholz wants to push several legislative proposals that are important to him through parliament with a red-green minority government by Christmas, including proposals on asylum, pensions, tax and industrial policy. The Chancellor doesn’t plan to ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence until mid-January in order to make elections possible ”by the end of March at the latest.”
“We will not allow ourselves to be paraded here by the Chancellor,” said Merz, who has demanded that Scholz ask the vote of confidence as early as next week. “The order is simply as follows: First the Chancellor asks the vote of confidence and then we talk about the possible projects that we should decide together on in the remaining electoral period.” “There is still enough time for that,” emphasized the CDU leader.
With a view to possible cooperation topics, Merz said there was a need for action “especially for the economy”. However, the FDP’s suggestions for this were “almost all rejected” by Scholz and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck. This makes it clear: “We will no longer be able to achieve any reforms with the government, (…) but at best we will get a few remaining stocks cleared away.”
In his view, however, there are opportunities for cooperation in asylum and procedural law. Merz pointed out that the Federal Council had stopped parts of the security package decided after the knife attack in Solingen. But here the government “didn’t even call the mediation committee,” said the CDU leader. His conclusion: “The federal government can still do a lot itself. We are very relaxed about it.”
Former FDP Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, who left the traffic light government, did not rule out supporting legislative proposals from the remaining red-green government. The FDP is aware of its responsibility, he said in the ARD program. “If there are proposals that are good for the country, we will not engage in fundamental opposition. But the prerequisite is that the proposals are convincing.”
The situation is now different than in the traffic light government, because Scholz has terminated the coalition, emphasized Buschmann. ”And that’s why the standard is now different – namely, we now measure what is good for the country by our own beliefs.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Anja Schmidt, a political expert and analyst, to discuss the recent developments in German politics, particularly the increasing pressure from CDU leader Friedrich Merz on Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding early elections. Dr. Schmidt, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Anja Schmidt: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in German politics.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! Friedrich Merz has made it clear that he wants Chancellor Scholz to hold a vote of confidence in the Bundestag before any cooperation with the CDU can happen. What do you think is driving this demand?
Dr. Anja Schmidt: Merz’s demand for a vote of confidence is a strategic move. He is trying to assert the CDU’s leverage in the wake of the traffic light coalition collapse. By requiring this vote before discussing legislative proposals, he not only reinforces his position but also puts Scholz in a corner, forcing him to respond to the CDU’s terms.
Time.news Editor: It seems like a risky gamble for Scholz, given that he aims to push several significant legislative proposals through parliament by Christmas. With the squads splitting apart, how might this dynamic impact his plans?
Dr. Anja Schmidt: Indeed, Scholz is in a delicate situation. If he delays the vote of confidence until January, as he has suggested, he risks losing the opportunity to effectively negotiate with the CDU on crucial issues like asylum and tax reforms. The urgency expressed by Merz could potentially stymie Scholz’s legislative goals if he isn’t able to garner any support in this divided legislative environment.
Time.news Editor: Merz suggested that there are economic topics that need immediate action. What kind of challenges do you believe lie ahead for the incoming discussions on these issues, particularly if the CDU continues to set the terms of engagement?
Dr. Anja Schmidt: The primary challenge will be reconciling the CDU’s stricter policy preferences with Scholz’s agenda. The financial strain from previous coalition decisions and external pressures such as inflation might lead to differing priorities. If Merz insists on his conditions, it could lead to a stalemate. Both sides will need to find common ground quickly; otherwise, urgent economic policies might stall, negatively impacting the public perception of both parties.
Time.news Editor: Given the backdrop of all these developments, what do you think voters can expect as the political landscape evolves in the coming months?
Dr. Anja Schmidt: Voter expectations will likely shift towards accountability and clarity. With the CDU positioning itself as a serious challenger to Scholz’s leadership, voters may want to see resolved conflicts and action on pressing issues rather than prolonged disputes. If Merz and Scholz can find a way to collaborate on critical legislation while addressing public concerns, it could shift the narrative towards stability. However, continued discord may fuel dissatisfaction and push voters towards alternative parties.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like the road ahead is quite intricate! Thank you, Dr. Schmidt, for your insights on this evolving political scenario. Your expertise helps clarify the stakes for both the current administration and the opposition.
Dr. Anja Schmidt: Thank you for having me! It’s a crucial time for Germany, and I look forward to seeing how these dynamics unfold.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our readers for joining us today! Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on the latest political developments.