Germany End of the traffic light: Scholz breaks with Lindner
The traffic light coalition is at an end. After a bitter dispute over the future course of economic and budgetary policy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced that he would kick Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) out of the cabinet.
06.11.2024, 23:00
SDA
FDP leader Christian Lindner declared that Scholz had broken off cooperation with the entire FDP. In Berlin, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck spoke of the break-up of the traffic light coalition.
Voters can now look forward to early elections in March. The break-up of the coalition comes shortly after the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US presidential election.
Scholz wants to call a vote of confidence
The Bundestag is to vote on a vote of confidence on January 15, Scholz said in Berlin. It is expected that he will lose this. In this case, the Chancellor can ask the Federal President to dissolve the Bundestag. Scholz said that the Bundestag could clear the way for early elections. These could take place by the end of March at the latest.
Reckoning with Lindner
Scholz made serious accusations against Lindner. The FDP politician was concerned with his own clientele and the short-term survival of his own party. Companies in the country need support, he said, referring to the weak economy and high energy prices. He also referred to the international situation with the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. "Anyone who refuses a solution or an offer of compromise in such a situation is acting irresponsibly. As Federal Chancellor, I cannot tolerate that."
Scholz accused Lindner of drowning out compromises during their time in government by publicly staging disputes and blocking laws inappropriately. "He has too often engaged in petty party political tactics. Too often he has broken my trust." There is no basis of trust for further cooperation. "Serious government work is not possible like this."
Lindner hits back
For his part, the dismissed FDP leader attacked Scholz. The SPD politician had deliberately caused the break-up of the traffic light coalition. "His carefully prepared statement this evening proves that Olaf Scholz was no longer interested in reaching an agreement that was viable for everyone, but in a calculated break-up of this coalition," said Lindner. Scholz was thus leading Germany into a phase of uncertainty.
Lindner accused the SPD and the Greens of not even accepting his proposals for improving the economic situation as a basis for consultation. Scholz had long played down the economic concerns of citizens. "His counter-proposals are dull, unambitious and make no contribution to overcoming our country's fundamental weakness in growth so that we can maintain our prosperity, our social security and our ecological responsibility."
Scholz had ultimately demanded that he suspend the debt brake in the Basic Law, Lindner said. "I could not agree to this because I would have violated my oath of office. That's why the Federal Chancellor terminated his cooperation with me and the FDP at the coalition committee meeting this evening."
Habeck: The end of the traffic light coalition was unnecessary
Habeck regretted the break-up of the coalition. They had often argued. "Nevertheless, I want to say for us that this evening feels wrong and not right, downright tragic on a day like this, when Germany must show unity and the ability to act in Europe," he emphasized.
Although possible solutions were on the table, it had not been possible to close the budget gap. "The FDP was not prepared to take these paths." Lindner's dismissal was ultimately as logical as it was unnecessary. Until possible new elections in the spring, the government is in office and "determined to fulfill the duties of the office in full," said Habeck. "From tomorrow, the work continues."
Struggle for solutions fails
Over the past few days, Scholz had held several meetings with Lindner and Habeck to find ways out of the crisis. In a paper, Lindner had called for a complete reorientation of the traffic light policy in light of the economic slump. For example, the paper calls for the permanent abolition of the solidarity surcharge for high earners as an immediate measure, an immediate stop to all new regulations and a change of course in climate policy. There was great resistance to this from the SPD and the Greens. Another issue was how to plug a billion-euro hole in the 2025 budget.
Some time ago, Lindner proclaimed the "autumn of decisions" for the coalition, which has been in office since the end of 2021. He was referring primarily to next year's budget, which was actually due to be passed in the Bundestag on November 29. He was also talking about a strategy for leading Germany out of the economic crisis.
Scholz wants to approach Merz
Scholz now wants to offer the head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Friedrich Merz (CDU), the opportunity to quickly look for joint solutions to strengthen the economy and defense. "I will now very quickly seek talks with the leader of the opposition, with Friedrich Merz," said the Chancellor. He wanted to offer Merz the opportunity to work together constructively on two or even more issues "that are crucial for our country: On quickly strengthening our economy and our defense," said the Chancellor.
The economy cannot wait until new elections have taken place, added Scholz, adding: "And we now need clarity on how we can solidly finance our security and defense in the coming years without jeopardizing cohesion in the country." In view of the elections in America, this is "perhaps more urgent than ever".
