Linnemann: Scholz must ask question of confidence

The traffic light coalition's plan has collapsed - the budget for 2024 will no longer be drawn up this year. CDU Secretary General sees a fundamental problem with the coalition confirmed: SPD, Greens and FDP "have no common foundation". He calls on the Chancellor to take action.

The news, which was published on Thursday afternoon, was not really surprising: The 2024 federal budget will not be discussed in the Bundestag until January. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner do not yet know what the budget for the coming year will look like. Speaking to Maybrit Illner on ZDF on Thursday evening, SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert did not say where the problems lie.

"We are striving to finish as quickly as possible," said Kühnert, "but today it is clear that there is no longer a time frame that will allow us to pass a budget 24 before Christmas." With the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court a good three weeks ago, the basis of all politics in Germany, the public budget, has been reduced by a large amount in the billions. Plugging this hole would be a major operation.

The state's investment activities could be cut back. "And we are not prepared to do that," said Kühnert. "This is about investments that are intended to preserve the core, the substance of the economy in Germany, our industrial backbone; that something will be produced here industrially in the next 10, 20, 30 years." This refers, for example, to subsidies for the chip manufacturers Intel, TSMC and Infineon, who want to build plants in Dresden and Magdeburg. According to Kühnert, the issue is whether this state can be an investing state.

"The country is completely insecure"

Economist Jens Südekum agrees. The reaction to the Karlsruhe ruling should not be to frantically scrape together money and make savings. Instead, the traffic light coalition should deal with the debt brake after the publication of the 2024 budget. "In my opinion, the tightened debt brake that we now have after the ruling is a tightened corset," said Südekum. It is currently not suitable for tackling the tasks facing this country. Germany is in a recession. According to Südekum, experts expect a recovery next year. This will not happen if investments are cut. Instead, the government must promote the economy.

CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann criticized the work of the traffic light. "The country is completely insecure. I talk to citizens and companies every day. Many are frustrated because there is no plan, no goal, no future. And now we are entering year 24 at the turn of the year with little hope."

The CDU politician went on to complain that the traffic light coalition had no common foundation. Referring to Scholz's government statement last week, he says: "People are longing for leadership and direction, and the Chancellor is simply not showing this." The Chancellor must face a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, demands Linnemann. If he were to win, the coalition with the traffic light system would have to draw up a plan for the next two years. "They are welcome to make a new start, but it can't go on like this."

How the CDU wants to make savings

It is now well known that the Christian Democrats are focusing on savings plans - especially in the social sector. Linnemann is now going one step further. It is no longer just about cutting the citizen's income. People must be brought into work - also through coercion. He is also calling for Ukrainian refugees to no longer be paid citizens' benefits immediately after entering the country. Instead, they should find work more quickly.

Sahra Wagenknecht, who wants to found her own party in January, takes a similar view. However, the former Left Party MP has a different plan for the budget deficit. This should be plugged primarily through higher taxes for the rich. She also criticizes the special fund for the Bundeswehr. According to Wagenknecht, although the army must be able to defend itself, this is also possible with less funding. The politician is calling for a fundamentally different policy in Germany.

Linnemann cannot really imagine that this will happen. The traffic light coalition simply has no roadmap. Nevertheless, he is certain: "They will come to an agreement." A coalition committee will take place next Sunday and a solution will be found by Monday, the start of the last week of Bundestag sessions this year. But, says Linnemann: "The core problem remains. The Chancellor must ask himself whether he can do it. I am no longer convinced." Although Linnemann is not directly calling for new elections, he seems to think this is the best step to take.

Kühnert sees it differently. He wants the traffic light system to continue to govern. Like Wagenknecht, he also thinks it would be a good idea to ask the rich people in this country to pay. Linnemann, on the other hand, thinks this is out of the question. In general, it looks as if the two do not agree on anything. Except for one: neither of them want a new edition of the grand coalition.

Read also:

The SPD, led by Kevin Kühnert, and the traffic light coalition partners have acknowledged the challenge of finalizing the 2024 budget due to the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling. CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann, criticizing the coalition, urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz to face a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, arguing that the traffic light coalition lacks a common foundation and a clear plan.

Source: www.ntv.de