Söder calls for a new election in parallel with the European elections in June 2024
In view of the budget crisis and the debates within the coalition government, CSU leader Markus Söder has brought up the idea of early elections in parallel to the European elections on June 9 next year. The coalition government should face a vote of confidence, "not in parliament, but before the German people", the Bavarian Minister President demanded to journalists in Berlin on Monday. He did not believe that the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was still capable of solving the country's problems.
Following a new election, a new edition of the grand coalition with the SPD is a conceivable government option, said Söder. He once again rejected the idea of the CDU/CSU forming a government with the Greens. Black-green is "a good model for good times, but simply not for difficult times". He also does not believe "that the FDP is still in a position to be a stable government partner in the long term". It was noticeable how the inner substance of the traffic light was dwindling and the centrifugal forces were increasing.
Söder clearly rejected the idea of abolishing or reforming the debt brake. The opposition is always ready to help Germany, he said. "But help does not lie in abolishing the debt brake or softening the debt brake," said the CSU chairman. "We reject that. The leaders of the CDU and CSU agree on that. It would be wrong to do that now," he said, also against the backdrop of considerations by some CDU state premiers who had not ruled out a reform of the debt brake.
Söder called on Chancellor Scholz to "set the record straight" in his government statement this Tuesday and make it clear where the journey is heading. Should the federal government declare an emergency for the 2023 budget, the CDU/CSU will not complain, although it still considers the move to be wrong. Söder left open what this would look like with regard to next year's budget.
In the context of discussing potential government changes, Söder suggested that the Federal Government could face a vote of confidence before the German people, especially considering the challenges with finances. Furthermore, in relation to household budgeting, Söder emphasized his opposition to abolishing or reforming the debt brake, as proposed by some CDU state premiers.
Source: www.dpa.com
