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Traffic light decision: explorers announce a "caesura" and clear plans - the green ones take the next step

2021-10-16T05:10:03.182Z


The SPD, Greens and FDP have agreed on an exploratory paper. Surprises included. Some key words: speed limit, minimum wage, taxes. The news ticker.


The SPD, Greens and FDP have agreed on an exploratory paper.

Surprises included.

Some key words: speed limit, minimum wage, taxes.

The news ticker.

  • The negotiating teams of the SPD *, Greens * and FDP * have agreed on an exploratory paper.

    (Update from 1:42 p.m.)

  • At their press conference, the party leaders emphasized a "give and take" - in other words: all sides had to swallow bitter pills.

    (

    Update from 1:28 p.m.

    )

  • However, Scholz, Baerbock and Lindner and Co. also praised good conversations or even a “turning point for political culture”.

    Now the committees have the floor.

    (Updates from 13.09 and 16.10 clock).

  • This news ticker is updated regularly.

Update from October 15, 6.43 p.m.:

After the exploratory

paper has been presented,

Chancellor Merkel is also preparing for a traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.

On the sidelines of a meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Brussels, she commented positively on the European policy of such a government: “It will be a government that


is pro-European, that knows what Europe means to us for peace and freedom “, Said the CDU politician according to the dpa.

Update from October 15, 4:48 p.m .:

SPD, Greens and FDP want to set off in the direction of a “progressive coalition” - in the other political camps, however, bitter criticism of the exploratory paper of the three parties was already loud on Friday.

And from different directions: While the CSU complains about “left-wing dreaming”, the left criticizes vague “lyricism” in the plans *.

Meanwhile, the German Environmental Aid warns of failures in transport policy.

In this article, we have summarized for you what is in the preliminary negotiation conclusion of the three traffic light parties.

Traffic light: coalition negotiations are to come - Greens announce plan, SPD is already nailing it

Update from October 15, 4:21 p.m.:

The SPD executive board has

cleared

the way for coalition negotiations on a traffic light alliance with the Greens and the FDP. According to the party, the panel unanimously approved the results of the exploratory negotiations between the three parties on Friday afternoon. The deliberations of the responsible bodies of the Greens (

see previous update

) and the FDP should take place on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Update from October 15, 4.10 p.m.:

The next steps for the possible traffic light coalition are taking shape: The Greens invite you to a small party conference on Sunday.

At 1 p.m., the delegates are to meet in a congress building at Berlin's Westhafen to clear the way for coalition talks with the SPD and FDP in the federal government.

The meeting is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

The proposal put to the vote by the federal executive committee is extremely short: “The state council of BÜNDNIS 90 / DIE GRÜNEN acknowledges and approves the exploratory paper that was negotiated between the SPD, BÜNDNIS 90 / DIE GRÜNEN and FDP.

The state council instructs the federal executive committee to set up negotiating groups and to enter into coalition negotiations with the SPD and FDP. "

Update from October 15, 2:55 p.m.:

The exploratory paper from the SPD, Greens and FDP is now available -

Merkur.de *

documents the version published by the SPD in full.

Traffic light explorations: SPD, Greens, FDP present a conclusion, coalition negotiations are to follow - an overview of the first contents

Update from October 15, 1:42 p.m.:

The

explorers

end the press conference with a “goodbye”.

The overwhelming insight: SPD, Greens and FDP want to start coalition negotiations - the party leaders want to recommend the decision to start to the respective bodies.

The first, sometimes surprising, finger tips are also known (see list below).

The chairmen of all three parties were optimistic.

FDP leader Christian Lindner initially spoke in the subjunctive, but was then even “very grateful” about the concession of the SPD and the Greens on some points and attested a “turning point in the political culture of Germany” as well as an opportunity for modernization, as it was “for a long time “Did not give - a barely disguised swipe at the Union.

The committees of the three traffic light parties should have decided by Monday.

Then, according to the plan, the general secretaries will initiate coalition talks.

The first specific points from the exploratory paper at a glance:

  • Minimum wage:

    A higher minimum wage of 12 euros is to come.

  • Hartz IV:

    The social security system is to be revised - instead of Hartz IV, there is apparently a consensus of citizens' money.

  • Pension:

    A minimum pension level of 48 percent is to be secured.

    At the same time, there should be share-based elements in the pension.

  • Faster

    phase-out of

    coal:

    “In order to meet the climate protection targets, an accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power generation is also necessary.

    Ideally, this will be achieved by 2030. "

  • No speed limit:

    “We want to make Germany the lead market for electromobility and to do so, massively accelerate the expansion of the charging station infrastructure.

    There will be no general speed limit. "

  • Taxes:

    The traffic light explorers do not want to “introduce any new taxes on assets” and do not want to increase taxes such as income tax, corporate tax or value added tax.

Update from October 15, 1:38 p.m.:

The specific financial framework has not yet been negotiated, admits Esken on request.

“We are confident that we will raise the funds for this,” she adds, with a view to planned investments - she too emphasizes the need for “public and private investments”.

Update from October 15, 1:36 p.m .:

"The further setting will be discussed when the parties have all made their decisions one after the other," says Scholz.

That could be the case on Monday.

"That we want to finish quickly, if possible before Christmas, that's what each and every one of us has said somewhere."

Traffic light concessions: there is no speed limit, minimum wage should come

Update from October 15, 1:28 p.m .:

"That is the

whole

point of coalition negotiations, that there is something to discuss, otherwise these coalition negotiations would not be needed," explains Baerbock when asked how big the risk of failure is now presumably the following conversations.

But it quickly comes down to the hardships for the parties: "We were unable to enforce the speed limit, in other areas we are very satisfied with how the text is worked," said Baerbock's co-boss Robert Habeck in response to the next question.

When it comes to the climate, the paper mentions sufficient measures that could now be formulated in order to meet the Paris target, he explains rather cautiously.

"The minimum wage is agreed here," "you have to accept that there is a concern here," says Lindner, referring to the SPD and the Greens.

But he also refers to the "entry into a capital coverage of the statutory pension", which the paper makes possible.

The party was "very grateful" for the readiness of the Greens and the SPD in this matter.

The “spirit of the talks” can already be seen in these two points.

Walter-Borjans also admits that anyone who juxtaposes the parties' programs and the exploratory paper will see that there are deviations.

But it was possible to design a "big whole".

"In the end, it's about ensuring prosperity and taking everyone with us."

Update from October 15, 1:23 p.m.:

How are the plans to be financed?

Olaf Scholz expressed himself in a somewhat claused manner: The debated proposals were "for the most part not aimed at increasing the state's income".

Of course, one assumes that the “fiscal framework” is sufficient for the financing.

Lindner provides a further hint: In the exploratory paper there are starting points with which "all private and public investment funds can be activated" in order to finance future tasks in Germany, says the Liberal.

Update from October 15, 1:21 p.m .:

“We gave and took,” says SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans.

The soundings had shown that a balance of desires and demands is possible, "with which each of the partners can live".

Update from October 15, 1:18 p.m.:

Robert Habeck explains the schedule for the Greens: The Green Party Congress will meet on Sunday.

The Green leadership will also recommend starting coalition talks.

“If you talk for a long time at night, you get to know each other very well,” he adds.

It was the discretion of those involved that made the quick result possible in the first place.

It is clear, however, that there will be “unreasonable demands” in order to “make greater things possible” together.

Habeck speaks of “satisfactory” results - and at the same time refers to a planned “exposure to reality” in socio-political terms.

Traffic light explorations: Lindner initially speaks in the subjunctive - but then speaks of a greater chance for "a long time"

Update from October 15, 1:15 p.m .:

The explorers had refrained from “covering up” different positions, emphasizes Lindner. Directional decisions are necessary. He stressed that there should be “clear financial guidelines”. At the same time, relief - for example in energy prices - as well as an "unleashing" of the economy are necessary. “After these talks, we are convinced that for a long time there has been no comparable opportunity to modernize society, the economy and the state.” The FDP “does not want to let this opportunity slip by”. The FDP leaders will also recommend entering into coalition negotiations on Monday.

Update from October 15, 1:09 p.m.:

Remarkably, SPD boss Saskia Esken speaks before the first FDP representative.

It was recommended to enter into coalition negotiations, she says.

Then it's the Liberal Chairman Christian Lindner.

"This style alone marks a turning point in Germany's political culture," he says, referring to the exploratory talks.

The seriousness of the talks gave many people "hope".

"This has expanded the scope for us and everyone involved and also made new political imaginations possible." If such different parties could agree on proposed solutions, then there would be an opportunity to bring the country together as a whole, says Lindner - in the subjunctive.

Update from October 15, 1:06 p.m.:

Baerbock is the next to speak.

A proposal for a “reform and progress coalition” had to be launched in intensive talks until the early morning.

In order not to continue “politics of the lowest common denominator”, it was important “that everyone gives something”.

Unsurprisingly, it refers to the issues of climate policy and an “ecological-social market economy” as well as investments in research and development.

Traffic light coalition: Scholz sees soundings "successful" - minimum wage increase is likely to come

Update from October 15, 1:03 p.m.: Reduce

bureaucracy and accelerate decisions - Scholz focuses on this goal as a common main focus of the explorers.

At the same time, it is about "industrial renewal" and social cohesion, such as education, housing shortages, pensions and "respect and solidarity".

Scholz specifically mentions the minimum wage and better pay.

All of these questions were "agreed".

"If the cooperation continues to work so well, then it will be a good future for our country."

+

The traffic light probes Habeck, Baerbock, Scholz and Lindner (from left to right) in Berlin on Friday.

© CHRISTOF STACHE

Update from October 15, 1:01 p.m.:

Now the party leaders Lindner, Habeck, Baerbock, Walter-Borjans and Esken appear in front of the press - and the Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz.

"We actually succeeded, we agreed on a paper for the explorations that can now serve as a basis for decision-making for the parties," says Scholz.

Update from October 15, 12:59 p.m.:

Presumably punctually at 1 p.m., the SPD, Greens and FDP in Berlin will inform about their exploratory conclusions - the General Secretaries Lars Klingbeil and Volker Wissing and Greens managing director Michael Kellner were at the press conference at the fair Apparently Berlin can already be seen.

Update from October 15, 12.44 p.m.:

The negotiators from the SPD, Greens and FDP want to make a statement on their talks shortly.

According to information from the dpa, the FDP delegation already informed the federal executive board of the results at noon.

The FDP parliamentary group was already involved.

Update from October 15, 12.20 p.m.:

In the Greens, party committees already dealt with the previous results of the explorations on a possible formation of a government with the SPD and FDP on Friday afternoon.

In the morning, the expanded 24-person exploratory team met, followed by the party council, as the German press agency learned from party circles.

Statement around 1 p.m .: Have the SPD, Greens and FDP agreed?

What's next?

Update from October 15, 11.50 a.m.:

The traffic light parties do not seem to want to speak on Friday that long: The negotiators from the SPD, Greens and FDP want to announce the results of their possibly decisive exploratory discussion after just a few hours.

The parties invited to a statement on Friday at around 1 p.m.

They met in the morning at the Berlin exhibition center to take stock of their negotiations so far

(see update from October 15, 9:20 a.m.).

Survey on the traffic light coalition: explorers get a tailwind

Update from October 15, 11.35 a.m.:

The exploratory talks are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a survey by the ZDF “Politbarometer” is giving the negotiators a tailwind.

According to a survey by the Wahlen research group, 62 percent consider an alliance made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP to be good, and 19 percent to be bad.

88 percent believe that there will be a “traffic light coalition”.

Three out of four respondents think it is good when Olaf Scholz becomes Chancellor.

The SPD, the Greens and the FDP talk to each other and assess the status of the negotiations

Update from October 15, 9:20 a.m.: The

SPD, Greens and FDP have started deliberations on a balance sheet of their exploratory talks so far.

The negotiators of the three parties first met for preliminary discussions on Friday at an exhibition center in western Berlin.

In front of the building's door, a few dozen mostly young activists demonstrated for more climate protection.

A paper is expected in the course of the day that summarizes the current state of negotiations.

On this basis, the leaderships of the three parties could recommend starting coalition negotiations.

However, further consultations are also conceivable.

+

Olaf Scholz (SPD) comes to the traffic light exploratory talks

© Mike Schmidt / Imago

Traffic light explorations: what content is it about?

Left-wing politicians want proposals on increasing energy prices

Update from October 15, 8.45 a.m.:

So far, it remains in the dark what content the traffic light probes talk about in detail. But the rising energy prices are preoccupying Germany *. Left parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch has now demanded proposals from the SPD, Greens and FDP to solve the problem. Here must finally be acted, he said in the ARD "Morgenmagazin". The largest share of the prices for diesel and gasoline, for example, are taxes and levies, which can have to be set politically.

The still incumbent Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU *) had spoken out in favor of taking action against rising prices through taxes and duties.

Bartsch, however, accused Scheuer of inaction.

The CSU politician had been a minister for four years, it was surprising that he was now calling for political action after the general election.

According to the circles, the left-wing politician welcomed the planned significant reduction in the surcharge to promote renewable energies (EEG surcharge).

“That is the right step that will be relieved.

That is sensible."

Traffic light parties talk to each other: coalition negotiations could take place soon - statements expected

+

On Friday, the SPD, Greens and FDP will continue their exploratory talks in a large group.

© F.Boillot / imago-images

Update from October 15, 7:25 a.m.:

On Friday there should be statements again regarding the traffic light soundings.

An exact time is not yet known.

The meeting begins in around 1.5 hours

(see update from October 15, 6:20 a.m.)

.

The three parties SPD, Greens and FDP had already met three times for joint exploratory talks.

Explorations with the SPD, the Greens and the FDP: Have you already organized the “Länderrat” for Sunday?

Update from October 15, 6:20 a.m .:

Is this Friday the day of the preliminary decision? From 9 a.m., the SPD, the Greens and the FDP will come together again for the traffic light explorations. First there should be preliminary talks, then possibly a final exploratory round. You want to take stock. The basis should be a recently prepared exploratory paper. Depending on the assessment, the next coalition negotiations could be pending

(see initial report)

.

In some cases, however, party committees or members would also have to be involved beforehand. According to FDP parliamentary group manager Marco Buschmann, the parliamentary group should also play a role. "In the past, the federal executive board and parliamentary group have always discussed something like this together, and that will be the case again if we come to a conclusion," said Buschmann to


the newspapers of the

Funke media group

regarding his party.

In the case of the Greens, a small party congress would have to decide whether to start coalition talks, which could be convened for the weekend at short notice. Apparently the Greens have already taken organizational precautions for this. As the

editorial network Germany

reports, citing leading party circles, the Greens have already reserved a hall in Berlin for the coming Sunday. A small party congress is to be held there - the Greens call it the “Länderrat”. The beginning of the meeting should also be clear: 12 noon. The Federal Political Director of the Greens, Michael Kellner, had previously answered the question of whether a state council was planned for Sunday in the negative. However, he added that one was able to act in the short term.

Traffic light explorations go into the final round: parties want to present balance sheet paper

First report from October 14th:

Berlin - Will the SPD, Greens and FDP actually enter coalition negotiations at the end of their exploratory talks or will the traffic light coalition still fail in its infancy?

The parties want to lay the foundations for an answer to these questions in further deliberations on Friday.

Then the negotiation teams come together again in Berlin.

At the end of the week, the planned publication of a balance sheet that reveals the findings from the discussions so far is eagerly awaited.

This could then be used as a basis for the party committees that will decide whether to start coalition negotiations.

In the case of the Greens, for example, a small party congress, which could be held spontaneously at the weekend, would have to decide whether to enter into negotiations with the SPD and FDP *.

Even with the Free Democrats, party committees should advise on the exploratory balance sheet and make a decision.

However, more precise details are not known.

The SPD does not have such an obligation to involve party committees.

Traffic light explorations: decision on coalition negotiations over the weekend?

Should the parties finally come to the decision to enter into coalition negotiations, that would be a clear signal to initiate a federal government with traffic lights.

Olaf Scholz *, who would head such a government as Federal Chancellor, was still confident on Wednesday on an official trip to Washington.

The finance minister expects to conclude the formation of the government "before Christmas" *.

In Scholz's absence, the general secretaries of the three parties have put the current status of the exploratory talks on paper, which can then be discussed further on Friday.

(fd) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubric lists: © CHRISTOF STACHE

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-10-16

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