Olaf Scholz appointed one of his close advisers, Jörg Kukies, to the position of Minister of Finance on Thursday. The German Chancellor had dismissed the holder of this portfolio, the liberal Christian Lindner, the day before. The conservative opposition is demanding a vote of confidence from “next week”.
The expert on economic matters, Jörg Kukies, 56, takes this prime ministry in a government in crisis, where there is no longer a majority in Parliament and only representatives of the Social Democratic Party and the Greens remain.
Olaf Scholz fired his Finance Minister on Wednesday evening, which led to the departure of several other liberal ministers from the government. The German Chancellor will ask MPs to decide on holding early elections.
>> Reread: Germany heads for snap elections after Minister fired
Confidence vote “next week”
The conservative opposition urged Olaf Scholz on Thursday to submit to a confidence vote in Parliament “next week” at the latest. The tripartite coalition between the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals of the FDP “failed and must draw the consequences immediately, declared the chairman of the Christian Democratic party CDU Friedrich Merz.
So he opposed the Chancellor’s wishes, who preferred to wait until mid-January to submit his mandate to the deputies, and thus paved the way for early legislative elections to be called towards the end of March.
The end of the coalition recorded on Wednesday afternoon is “the end of this legislature (…), there is no reason to ask the question of confidence only in January”, declared Friedrich Merz, whose party is the favorite polls in the event. the early legislative elections. “We cannot afford to have a government without a majority for several months.
>> Details from 12:45 pm:
Political crisis in Germany. The resignation of the liberal ministers leaves the Scholz government with a majority in parliament / 12:45 pm / 1 min. / today at 12:45
Loss of majority
On the contrary, Olaf Scholz wants to continue governing by passing several important pieces of legislation between now and the end of the year, even if he does not now have a majority after the break with the liberal FDP party. To do this, he intends to find majorities on a case-by-case basis in the Bundestag. However, without the support of the conservative opposition bloc, it will be difficult for the social democrats and the environmentalists to pass these legislative texts.
At the same time, Olaf Scholz received a consolation prize with the decision of one of the liberal ministers of his government, that of Transport, to stay in his job and leave his FDP pledge, which he decided to break with the tripartite coalition. “I want to stay true to myself,” said Volker Wissing to explain his decision to stay in office.
The other three liberal government ministers, including Finance Minister Christian Lindner, also president of the FDP, are no longer part of the ruling team, due to deep disagreements with the two left-wing parties over economic and budgetary policy.
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Economic Expert Jörg Kukies
Editor: Good day, Jörg! Thank you for joining us today at Time.news. It’s a significant time in German politics with your recent appointment as Minister of Finance. Can you share your thoughts on the current economic landscape and the challenges you foresee?
Kukies: Thank you for having me. The economic landscape in Germany is indeed turbulent following the recent political upheaval. We are facing a critical juncture where I must focus on stabilizing fiscal policies amidst significant instability in the government. My primary focus will be to instill confidence among investors and ensure economic continuity.
Editor: Speaking of stability, how do you respond to criticism that the coalition between the Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberal FDP has failed? What does this mean for your new role?
Kukies: The coalition has faced immense challenges, and the departure of the FDP ministers points to deeper systemic issues. However, as the new Finance Minister, my goal is to navigate these turbulent waters effectively. It’s crucial that we communicate a clear strategy moving forward to regain both legislative and public trust.
Editor: Olaf Scholz has suggested delaying a vote of confidence until January, while the opposition is pushing for it next week. How do you see this political dynamic impacting economic decisions in the short term?
Kukies: The urgency of a confidence vote is a reflection of the current instability. If the opposition insists on acting swiftly, it could lead to a swift turnover in leadership and policies, creating volatility. On the other hand, a delay might offer us a moment to consolidate efforts towards a cohesive economic strategy. Ultimately, however, we need to find a path that minimizes uncertainty for businesses and citizens alike.
Editor: Friedrich Merz of the CDU argues that the government cannot afford to operate without a majority. What are your thoughts on the implications of a potential snap election?
Kukies: Snap elections can lead to a significant realignment in parliamentary power, but they also introduce substantial risk in terms of policy continuity. Should the CDU emerge victorious, it might change our fiscal strategies dramatically. My focus will remain on ensuring sound financial management, regardless of the political landscape, while advocating for policies that foster economic growth.
Editor: As you step into this role amid such chaos, what will be your immediate priorities in the Ministry of Finance?
Kukies: My immediate priorities will include drafting a comprehensive budget that addresses current deficits, promoting sustainable investment, and facilitating economic recovery strategies. It’s crucial to engage with all political stakeholders to ensure broad support and avoid further fragmentation.
Editor: In closing, what message do you have for the German populace regarding their economic future and your new role?
Kukies: I want to assure the German people that my commitment is to transparency, dialogue, and strategic fiscal policies. Change is never easy, but by working together, we can navigate these challenges and build a more robust economic future for everyone.
Editor: Thank you, Jörg, for your insights. We wish you the best in your new role as Minister of Finance during these unprecedented times.
Kukies: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.