Initial SPD Politicians Set to Rekindle Relationship with Groko Again
In retrospect, a lot of situations appear more appealing. This seems to be the case with the Grand Coalition as well, with some SPD politicians now contemplating it. Even if they'd theoretically end up with a Chancellor Merz.
The first SPD politicians are now gaming the idea of a Grand Coalition following the next federal election. "I could envision a Grand Coalition led by the SPD," asserted SPD Bundestag member Andreas Schwarz to "Der Spiegel".
Schwarz, a Bundestag member since 2013, has tasted two Grand Coalitions in the past. "Obviously, it wasn't a bed of roses then either," he admitted. However, he now seems to favor the Union over the Greens and FDP: "The shared issues in the traffic light coalition are starting to wear thin."
The deputy SPD parliamentary group leader Verena Hubertz believes that the perpetual wrangling over the debt brake reform with the CDU and CSU is more manageable than with the FDP. "There's a broad consensus within the Union that a state needs to be able to act and invest, especially during tough economic times," "Der Spiegel" quotes Hubertz. "The divide isn't between the parties, but between those who've served in government and those who haven't."
The prospect of teaming up with a Chancellor Friedrich Merz leaves many SPD members with a queasy feeling. "It's tough to picture how Merz would moderate disputes in a coalition," Schwarz told "Der Spiegel". "On one hand, because he's never held a government post. On the other hand, because he has a habit of losing control." Nevertheless, Hubertz stays realistic: "You can't keep voting until you only have to work with people you like," she stated.
However, SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert shows little enthusiasm for a revitalized Grand Coalition. "Of course, the traffic light coalition has achieved more than the last Grand Coalition," noted Kühnert. The last one was on the verge of collapse just three months into its term in 2018, with the contentious issue of subsidiary protection seekers' family reunification. "Compared to the challenges faced by the traffic light coalition, and the challenges it faces now, with a war in Europe and a severe energy crisis, that wasn't even a sprain," said Kühnert.
The SPD parliamentary group is considering the possibility of a Grand Coalition with the Union after the next election, as suggested by SPD Bundestag member Andreas Schwarz. Regarding this, The Commission might need to consider the potential implications and pros and cons of such an alliance for the future of German politics.
