- Scholz critiques Merz, stating: "Leadership varies significantly"
Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly and passionately reprimanded CDU head Friedrich Merz for calling off migration discussions with the traffic light coalition. At the summer soiree of the progressive SPD's Seeheimer Circle in Berlin, the Chancellor accused the Union's upper echelon leader of irresponsible behavior and poor leadership.
"This decision was predetermined. And it's a source of embarrassment for those involved," Scholz stated forcefully to the Seeheimers. "Leadership demands integrity, honesty, and unwavering resilience for this nation. Not petty schemes and small-town theater acts," Scholz argued.
Leadership involves standing firm, he added. "And leadership requires the ability to make concessions. But one must have the will to do so," Scholz stressed.
Unions' leader Friedrich Merz declared that the deliberations with the traffic light administration were futile. It appears that the coalition is unable to enforce nationwide migration rejections, the CDU leader asserted. "Therefore, the endeavor to find a mutual path has faltered," he concluded.
"Drastic reversal" in migration policy
The federal administration will now push through what it has proposed, the Chancellor stated. "We have kickstarted a substantial shift in the efficient management of unlawful migration in Germany. And this was appropriate." This is exemplified by the decrease in unlawful entrants and the substantial increase in deportations.
Scholz referred to the security plan agreed upon by the traffic light coalition post-Solingen knife attack, which will be discussed in the Bundestag for the first time on Thursday. It involves measures to intensify deportations of rejected asylum seekers, actions to more decisively combat Islamic terrorism, and reinforcing weapon regulations. "We are executing, not just discussing," the head of government underscored.
On Wednesday, there will be a direct debate between Merz and Scholz in the Bundestag. In the general debate as part of the budget discussions, the leader of the opposition's largest faction, that is, Merz, will speak first. Then it's the Chancellor's turn.
Despite the ongoing tensions between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU head Friedrich Merz, Germany remains committed to addressing migration issues. The country's leadership continues to pursue a strategic approach, balancing firm action with necessary concessions.
