Coalition - Lindner: Mützenich threat for the traffic light
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) sees SPD-Faction Leader Rolf Mützenich as a threat to the continuation of the Traffic Light Coalition. "My greatest concern regarding the stability of the Federal Government until the Federal Election is now the SPD-Federal Parliamentary Faction," Lindner told "Handelsblatt." "The chairman of the SPD-Faction has called into question the fundamental decisions of the Federal Government in security policy, fiscal policy, and the tightened requirements for social benefits within a few days."
The SPD-Faction had demanded the suspension of the debt brake during budget negotiations, arguing for more room for investments. The FDP opposed this, causing significant unrest within the SPD. After the budget compromise in early July, Mützenich indirectly accused Lindner of not fulfilling his responsibilities in the negotiations and threatened to keep the option of a state of emergency on the table.
A few days ago, Mützenich also criticized the planned deployment of extended US weapons in Germany, which the Federal Government has negotiated with the USA, and warned of the risk of military escalation. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) subsequently dismissed these concerns publicly.
Lindner emphasized in his conversation with "Handelsblatt" that if it fails to close the ongoing budget gap of 17 billion euros through so-called financial transactions, he would not approve a budget with such a large budget gap. A planned reduction in spending of up to nine billion euros corresponds to state practice, according to Lindner. "Everything beyond that raises constitutional questions and increases the risk of having to manage the ongoing budget with restrictions in 2025."
Lindner refused to comment on potential coalition options after a possible renewal of the Traffic Light Alliance after the Federal Election in the fall of 2025. "We will express ourselves on coalition options next year. For now, there is still work to be done," said the FDP leader. The election campaign has not yet begun. "But it is a reality that the window for legislation is gradually closing."
Some important projects are still open, including making private pension provision more attractive through a subsidized stock deposit, according to Lindner. "Everyone is positioning themselves for the future. The SPD is talking about a wealth tax, the Greens about higher debt."
- Despite the concerns raised by Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner about the SPD-Federal Parliamentary Faction, the SPD-Faction had previously demanded the suspension of the debt brake during budget negotiations.
- The Federal Election is approaching, and the stability of the current Traffic Light Coalition, consisting of the SPD, FDP, and the Greens, is under threat due to internal tensions within the SPD.
- The FDP, led by Christian Lindner, opposed the SPD's demand for suspending the debt brake, leading to significant unrest within the SPD.
- After the budget compromise in early July, Rolf Mützenich, leader of the SPD-Faction, indirectly accused Lindner of not fulfilling his responsibilities in the negotiations and threatened to keep the option of a state of emergency on the table.
- In a recent turn of events, Mützenich criticized the planned deployment of extended US weapons in Germany and warned of the risk of military escalation, which was publicly dismissed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
- In the "Business Gazette," Lindner emphasized that he would not approve a budget with a large budget gap of 17 billion euros and mentioned that a planned reduction in spending, corresponding to state practice, should address the issue.
- In relation to potential coalition options after the Federal Election in the fall of 2025, Lindner refused to comment but stated that more information will be given next year when the election campaign begins.
