2024-03-25 12:18:56
The traffic light dispute over Rolf Mützenich’s statements about the war in Ukraine escalates: a comrade jumps to the side of the SPD parliamentary group leader and attacks FDP woman Strack-Zimmermann.
In the dispute over the right course in Ukraine policy, the tone between the SPD and the FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is becoming sharper. SPD parliamentary secretary Katja Mast condemned the FDP politician’s statements on Wednesday as “low-level and malicious.” Mast was referring to Strack-Zimmermann’s criticism of SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich’s considerations about “freezing” the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Liberals followed up and called Mützenich’s statements “scandalous”.
Strack-Zimmermann pointed out in an interview with Deutschlandfunk that Mützenich had received praise for his statements from people like AfD politician Björn Höcke and Bundestag member Sahra Wagenknecht. “When Mr. Mützenich talks about ‘freezing’ and is applauded by these personalities, he is going in this direction – namely taking the work away from the Russians,” said the FDP MP. This is “social democratic appeasement policy that has never helped us.”
“We didn’t order this applause”
SPD parliamentary secretary Mast then accused Strack-Zimmermann, who is also the Liberals’ top candidate for the European elections, of a verbal derailment. “I think what she let loose was low-class and malicious,” said Mast. “Ms. Strack-Zimmermann deliberately brought Mr. Mützenich and the entire SPD parliamentary group closer to the AfD and Sahra Wagenknecht,” she said. “We didn’t order this applause.”
Strack-Zimmermann received support from FDP parliamentary secretary Johannes Vogel. “In the debate now taking place, cause and effect must not be confused,” he said. Ultimately, the starting point for the debate was Mützenich’s statements “which raised doubts about the coalition’s course.”
Strack-Zimmermann and the SPD also publicly discussed their dispute on another point: the case of possible betrayal of secrets in the Defense Committee, which is headed by Strack-Zimmermann. Here you can read more about it. Mast said it would have been Strack-Zimmermann’s responsibility as committee chair to limit the number of participants in the confidential meeting in question, thereby preventing the possibility of leaking classified information. “She ducks and blames others,” Mast said.
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FDP parliamentary secretary Vogel banned “attacks on our committee chairmen from other factions”. This applies “especially” to the factions “that support this coalition”.
Strack-Zimmermann rejects allegations
105 people took part in the committee meeting from which the information is said to have flowed. Strack-Zimmermann confirmed her statement on Wednesday that she had not been able to further limit the number of participants. A relatively large group of MPs, employees, state and ministry representatives are entitled to participate, said Strack-Zimmermann on Deutschlandfunk.
“As chairwoman, I can’t just say: Guys, you’re annoying me, there are too many of them, now get out and into the basket,” said Strack-Zimmermann. However, she wants to discuss with parliamentary groups and ministries how the number of participants in meetings with sensitive content can be limited more effectively in the future. Here you can read more about it.