Icon: enlarge
FDP leader Lindner, new CDU chairman Laschet
Photo: Federico Gambarini / dpa
SPIEGEL:
You negotiated the only remaining black-yellow coalition with the new CDU leader Armin Laschet in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2017.
What does his election mean for the strategic direction of the FDP in the federal election campaign?
Lindner:
With Armin Laschet, the CDU has opted for the political center.
At the same time, the non-decision for Friedrich Merz is the signal that the CDU takes continuity more important than the economic renewal of the country.
We value Armin Laschet as a trustworthy partner in North Rhine-Westphalia.
He has clearly spoken out in favor of cooperation with the FDP for reasons of content.
On the one hand, this creates an opportunity to change the political landscape.
On the other hand, the responsibility of the Free Democrats to ambitiously represent the renewal of the economy and society and the value of freedom is growing.
SPIEGEL:
CSU boss Markus Söder has made it clear that he and Laschet will decide the question of chancellorship.
Which candidate do you expect?
Lindner:
Markus Söder currently has good poll numbers because his strict demeanor impresses some of the audience.
But Armin Laschet was able to form a black and yellow government in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The performance of the campaigner Laschet is about as important as it would be an absolute majority for the CSU in Bavaria.
The FDP made a contribution to this with its historically best result in North Rhine-Westphalia.
"Anyone who successfully governs the largest federal state and wins the chairmanship of the largest party in tough, long competition can become chancellor."
SPIEGEL:
With whom do you have a better relationship of trust, Laschet or Söder?
Lindner:
With Armin Laschet we formed a successful coalition within four weeks.
There are differences in the matter, but they are based on fairness.
Each of the partners has to be able to make a point, but each of the partners also has their political boundaries that have to be respected.
This is how the black-and-yellow alliance in Düsseldorf became successful - with advances in education, with the reduction of bureaucracy in the economy and with a pandemic fight that combines health protection with liberality in the best possible way.
SPIEGEL:
Does Laschet's election for the FDP increase the chances of a government option in the fall, for example as a partner in a Jamaican coalition with the Union and the Greens?
Lindner:
That is decided by the content.
Incidentally, according to the current survey by Civey, black and yellow would currently have even more percentage points than a green-red-red coalition.
In this respect, exciting times are ahead of us.
SPIEGEL:
Which coalition do you prefer in the federal government?
Lindner:
We are independent and therefore not fixed.
The similarities in terms of content would be greatest of all constellations for black and yellow.
But also with the Union there are many differences in social policy, I am thinking, for example, of more responsibility for the federal government in educational policy, liberal euthanasia, the legalization of non-commercial surrogacy.
The formation of a government across campuses requires much longer negotiations.
That goes for a traffic light like for Jamaica.
The Greens are clearly looking for their success to the left of the center.
SPIEGEL:
According to the polls, most Germans do not trust Laschet to take over the Chancellery.
Lindner:
Anyone who successfully governs the largest federal state and wins the chairmanship of the largest party in tough, long competition can become chancellor.
SPIEGEL:
A chancellor must also be able to do foreign policy.
So far, Laschet has rather caused irritation.
In 2014, for example, he called for a reassessment of the Assad regime in Syria and complained about "marketable anti-Putin populism".
Is he missing the foreign policy compass?
more on the subject
Media law: Merz and Lindner take action against Gabor Steingart by Martin U. Müller
FDP reaction to the new CDU boss: Black and yellow is the hope of Severin Weiland
Greens criticism of designated CDU boss: Baerbock accuses Laschet of proximity to Russia
Party chairmanship: Merz calls on CDU delegates to elect Laschet
Political staging: So isser, the Laschet.
Really? An analysis by Barbara Hans
Corona measures: No politics without debate A guest contribution by Dietmar Bartsch and Christian Lindner, Die Linke and FDP
Lindner:
Armin Laschet should be given the opportunity to present his foreign policy positions in his new role.
Seven-year-old quotes do not illuminate this.
As long as basic human and civil rights are violated in Russia, we cannot go back to business as usual.
Infrastructure projects such as Nord Stream 2 are also affected.
There should be no cancellation in principle, but a moratorium now.
The continuation of the construction of Nord Stream 2 should be closely linked to the interests of our European partners and also of Ukraine.
A safety mechanism is conceivable.
Should Moscow turn off the tap in Ukraine, there should be automatic consequences for deliveries via Nord Stream 2.
This would rule out unilateral blackmail attempts from Moscow, and at the same time we would preserve the important energy industry cooperation.
SPIEGEL:
What is more important for the FDP - the Foreign Ministry or the Finance Ministry?
Lindner:
We are still a long way from forming a cabinet.
There is a lot to be done in both fields.
On the matter, however, I can promise that, as Federal Minister of Finance, I would rule out higher burdens on the income of employees or those who bear entrepreneurial risks for jobs.
Rather, one has to deal with Amazon and others.
SPIEGEL:
The publicist Gabor Steingart recently reported from "The Pioneer" that you had made the defeated CDU candidate Friedrich Merz an offer to switch to the FDP.
You have taken legal action against it.
Why?
Lindner:
It is not the first time that Mr Steingart's editorial team has asserted false facts.
Mr. Merz and I fought against this together.
By the way, with success.
SPIEGEL:
Aside from your legal dispute with Steingart, Merz would be a good fit for the FDP, wouldn't it?
Icon: enlarge
Politicians Merz, Lindner
Photo:
Kay Nietfeld / DPA
Lindner:
I value Friedrich Merz as one of the remaining market economists in the Union, but he would not disagree if he was called a conservative socio-politically.
The FDP is a diverse party that is attractive to different personalities, but one should not pay too much attention to the specific speculation.
SPIEGEL:
Do you actually support the recent tightening of the measures against Corona?
Lindner:
Because of the mutations in the virus, I think it is right that medical masks are now prescribed in certain areas.
Unfortunately, we are missing everything that is innovative and offers perspective in the current resolutions.
From our point of view, there should be a step-by-step plan in which it is precisely worked out under which hygiene and safety precautions which area can also be reopened.
"I value Friedrich Merz as one of the remaining market economists in the Union."
SPIEGEL:
Above all, it was the SPD minister-presidents who spoke to the Chancellor and promoted easing of school operations, for example.
Is the SPD ticking more liberally than the Union in the pandemic?
Lindner:
The picture is inconsistent.
In any case, we are of the urgent opinion that daycare centers and schools must be reopened as soon as possible.
Maybe not for everyone, but at least for the younger ones and the senior classes.
Perhaps not in normal operation, but perhaps with air purifiers and using cinemas or other rooms at a greater distance.
Perhaps we should also vaccinate the educators and teachers faster?
I am concerned about a division in society because many children and young people lose touch.
The situation is already unbearable for many parents in the home office, especially for the mothers, who too often have to bear the main burden.
»Armin Laschet should be given the opportunity to present his foreign policy positions in his new role.
Seven-year-old quotes do not illuminate this. "
SPIEGEL:
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has called for freedom rights to be returned to those who have been vaccinated.
Do you support him in this?
Lindner:
As you know, we have represented this for a long time.
The weighing up is not easy, because I do not discount the danger posed by a two-class society.
But if it can be proven that a vaccinated person no longer poses any danger, the restriction of fundamental rights would no longer be justified.
We cannot defuse the social explosive by continuing to restrict freedom for everyone, but only by vaccinating more quickly.
A vaccination summit with the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry and municipalities is necessary to discuss with all those involved what can be done for it.
Icon: enlarge
Düsseldorf coalition partner Lindner, Laschet in 2017
Photo: Federico Gambarini / dpa
SPIEGEL:
Greece is demanding an EU vaccination pass that allows vaccinated people to travel.
What do you make of it?
Lindner:
The debate comes early because it is not yet certain whether the vaccination will prevent the virus from being transmitted.
If so, there will have to be something of this nature to restore freedom of movement.
In a European context, we Germans would currently be the ones to suffer, we are only in tenth place in terms of the speed of vaccinations.
We are better at closing than at anything that brings freedom.
Icon: The mirror
