Federal President presents certificates
When Lindner is released, it becomes ice cold in the castle
07.11.2024Reading time: 3 min.
Steinmeier dismissed Lindner as finance minister. At the ceremony in Bellevue Palace, the mood between the former partners was icy.
The federal government no longer has any FDP ministers. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) handed over their dismissal certificates to Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.
At the suggestion of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), he appointed the previous Chancellor advisor Jörg Kukies (SPD) as the new Finance Minister. Transport Minister Volker Wissing remains in office as the only FDP-appointed cabinet member, but has resigned from the party. Steinmeier also appointed him Federal Minister of Justice.
The mood at the official appointment: frosty. Scholz and Lindner avoided any contact. No handshake, no smile, no word from Chancellor to former minister. After three years of close cooperation, only a cool distance remains between the two. Lindner’s successor Kukies, on the other hand, later even gave a friendly nod to Scholz.
The mutual accusations since yesterday evening have apparently finally put an end to the relationship between the Chancellor and the former finance minister: Scholz accused Lindner of engaging in social arson. Lindner accused Scholz of expecting him to break his oath of office.
Steinmeier, on the other hand, used the moment to praise the work of the ministers in recent years. Addressing Lindner, he said: “It was a central concern of yours to keep the national debt under control.” He has made great efforts to present budgets that comply with the debt rule. In Buschmann’s case, the Federal President referred to initiatives that the minister had taken “to adapt the free constitutional state to changing conditions.” Among other things, Stark-Watzinger “reformed the Bafög so that students now receive more funding.”
But: ”In a time of serious crises,” this goal was “apparently increasingly controversial within the federal government,” Steinmeier added. Different opinions would have led to irreconcilable differences in the federal government.
Wer trägt die Hauptschuld am Scheitern der Ampel?
Olaf Scholz (SPD)
Robert Habeck (Grüne)
Christian Lindner (FDP)
Ich weiß es nicht
Steinmeier then read out the dismissal certificates of the three former ministers and the appointments of Wissing and Kukies. At the end there was a group photo, without smiles, without friendliness. Steinmeier concluded the act with a brief “Thank you very much.”
Basically, the Chancellor suggests to the Federal President who he should dismiss or appoint as a minister. This is laid down in Article 64 of the Basic Law. The Federal President cannot object to the proposal. The ceremonies that follow follow rituals. The Federal President usually gives a short speech, honors the outgoing ministers and presents them with their certificates. The group photo at the end is also part of it.
However, with the last change of ministers, the mood was significantly better. Those involved had a different relationship at the time: Former Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht repeatedly smiled at Steinmeier when she was fired, and the group photo with her successor Boris Pistorius (SPD) seemed relaxed.
Steinmeier’s speech at the time was also solemn: “I would like to thank you for everything you were able to achieve as Federal Minister in your various positions. For your willingness to stand up for our country and for our democracy over so many years.” In the current government crisis, however, nobody feels like celebrating.
It appears you’re sharing a news article about a political event in Germany, specifically focusing on the dismissal of several FDP (Free Democratic Party) ministers by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The article outlines key events during the ceremony where dismissal certificates were presented to Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.
The tone of the article reflects the tension between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Lindner, indicating a significant rift in their working relationship. Steinmeier’s remarks suggest a recognition of the ministers’ past efforts, yet he acknowledges growing controversies and irreconcilable differences within the government.
The event emphasizes the end of the coalition government, often referred to as the “traffic light coalition” (a coalition of SPD, Greens, and FDP), and highlights the underlying political conflicts. The article also invites readers to discuss who might bear the main responsibility for the coalition’s failure.
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