Lindner worries about Muitätzenich's traffic light future
It has become a sad tradition in recent years for members of the Traffic Light Coalition to attack each other. Currently, the FDP leader has set his sights on the SPD - and his criticism is mainly directed at a particular person.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner 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 parliamentary faction," Lindner told "Handelsblatt." "The chairman of the SPD parliamentary 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 the budget negotiations, arguing for more room for investments. The FDP opposed this, causing significant frustration within the SPD. After the budget compromise at the beginning of July, Mützenich indirectly accused Lindner of not fulfilling his responsibilities in the negotiations. The faction leader announced that the option of a budget crisis would remain on the table.
A few days ago, Mützenich 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 subsequently dismissed these concerns publicly.
The budget hole must be closed
Lindner emphasized in a conversation with "Handelsblatt" that if it were not possible to close the remaining budget hole of 17 billion euros through so-called financial transactions, he would by no means approve a budget with such a large budget hole. 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 managing the ongoing budget with restrictions in 2025."
Regarding a possible renewal of the Traffic Light Coalition after the federal election in the fall of 2025, Lindner refused to comment. "We will express ourselves on coalition options next year. For now, there is still work to be done," the FDP leader said. The campaign has not yet begun. "But it is a reality that the window for legislation is gradually closing."
Some important projects of his are still open, including making private pension provision more attractive through a subsidized stock deposit, Lindner said. "Everyone is positioning themselves for the future. The SPD is talking about a wealth tax, the Greens about higher debt."
- In response to Rolf Mützenich's criticism of the FDP's stance on the US weapon deployment in Germany, various German governments and political parties have expressed support for the federal government's decision, seeing it as a crucial part of the country's security policy.
- Amidst the ongoing tensions between the Traffic Light Coalition members, Christian Lindner and Rolf Mützenich, it remains uncertain whether the FDP will be part of another Traffic Light Coalition after the upcoming federal election in 2025, as Lindner has yet to publicly discuss potential coalition options.
