Damper for Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier: The SPD faction in the Bundestag has postponed the SPIEGEL information the decision on their attitude to the Chinese telecom group Huawei by two weeks. After the CDU party conference on the weekend, according to information from parliamentary groups, a new situation has arisen. The group wants to use the time accordingly for new negotiations with the federal government. Altmaier does not want to exclude Huawei flat rate from the upcoming 5G network expansion.
The SPD delegates want to determine now only at their next group meeting in 14 days. First, the news agency Reuters had reported citing an insider on the shift. Originally, the adoption of a position paper was expected earlier this week.
At the weekend, the CDU party had decided "a clearly defined security catalog" for participation in network expansion. Huawei is not generally excluded.
Amthor defends party congress decision
However, the CDU MP Philipp Amthor said that the decision was crystal clear against providers that would be controlled by foreign states. "This is obviously the case with all Chinese providers, which is why I consider it quite adventurous to read out of the decision an openness to vendors like Huawei or ZTE," Amthor told dpa news agency.
The CDU politician called the party congress decision on security in 5G network expansion a good compromise. But apparently he still sees a need for discussion.
Because according to Amthor, the decision does not mean the end of the debate, but rather is the basis for further political discussion on dealing with Chinese outfitters. "In my view, a corresponding reinterpretation would be an open affront to many members of the Bundestag who are concerned about the security of our critical infrastructure and the integrity of our intelligence service network."
The SPD foreign politician Nils Schmid said the "world", a participation of Huawei in the construction of the 5G network in Germany was "not to accept". The company has "due to the law in the home country China, the obligation to deliver data to the national intelligence services," said Schmid. On the other hand, because there are no constitutional means before independent courts, the participation of companies such as Huawei in 5G expansion in Germany should not be allowed for reasons of national security.
Criticism of Altmaier's USA comparison
Schmid also criticized a comparison Altmaier between the Chinese group and US companies. The Minister of Economic Affairs had said on Sunday at "Anne Will", they were in the NSA affair then imposed no boycott: "The US also require that companies provide information to fight terrorism." SPD politician Schmid accused Altmaier of misjudging "that in China there is no constitutional control by independent courts possible, but in the US very well".
Dear @peteraltmaier a few words to the congress decision: 1) The @Bundestag does not talk, he decides at # 5G by law! 2) No outfitters under government influence. This affects all companies. 3) We now expect a quick transitional solution from you!
- Norbert Röttgen (@n_roettgen) November 25, 2019Previously, the CDU politician and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Norbert Röttgen, had insisted on the participation of Parliament. "The @Bundestag does not talk, it decides by law at # 5G 2) No outfitters who are under State influence This affects all companies 3) We now expect a quick transitional solution from you!" Röttgen wrote on Monday on Twitter ,
