The traffic lights are still negotiating - now also on the subject of mandatory vaccinations.
FDP boss Christian Lindner is considered the winner in coalition poker.
And has a clear opinion.
Berlin / Munich - The traffic light brought its first joint project through the Bundestag on Thursday: The new Infection Protection Act.
The federal states agreed a day later, albeit with some grinding of teeth.
It seems clear that there will soon be no way around the SPD, Greens and FDP in federal politics.
Christian Lindner's words are particularly important in this situation.
The FDP boss and possible future finance ministers expressed themselves in an interview about a possible vaccination requirement - and gave an outlook on a traffic light federal government.
In the conversation with the
Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), there were
rather comforting words for the Greens who got on the defensive.
And a promise to the Union's voters.
Corona vaccination obligation: Lindner gives a hint - FDP only for partial obligation, but that soon
Of course, the most pressing question seems to be the compulsory vaccination: Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) gave the debate on a general compulsory vaccination on Friday vigorously. Lindner was now rather negative. Where there are vaccination requirements, such as measles and smallpox, the World Health Organization argues with lifelong immunity and the prospect of eradicating these diseases, the FDP chief explained: "Unfortunately, that is different with Corona."
The FDP, on the other hand, apparently wants to clear the way for a job-related vaccination requirement.
It will be discussed on Tuesday, Lindner indicated.
“In the meantime, the federal and state governments have spoken out in favor of a facility-related vaccination requirement.
That's why she will come, ”he said.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, some assessments have changed - for example, with regard to concerns about migration from the affected professions in the event of compulsory vaccination.
Green under pressure: Lindner advises Ampel-Partner to stand still through the flower - "There is no reason to complain"
A controversial issue of the traffic light coalition would be cleared away, at least for the time being. Others stay. Lindner once again defended its adherence to the debt brake. He agreed to continued tough negotiations - and waiting for some time: One would have to “set priorities: What of the many desirable projects comes when?” At the same time, the liberal boldly shared a Greens election campaign demand: Taxes must be collected consistently. “The question of tax compliance” needs to be made a priority. "A guiding motto could be: Don't increase taxes, but collect them consistently."
The FDP chairman did not want to publicly claim the position of finance minister. "Just for the record, I'm not speculating about items," he said - the Greens, who could claim the office of party co-leader Robert Habeck, may have heard it interested. Officially, it was recently said that the distribution of ministries had not yet been decided. Lindner gave the coalition partner, who also saw himself under pressure on climate issues, a portion of consolation, but also seemed to recommend restraint: “The Greens have already achieved great successes that they can be proud of. This applies to social policy, but also to climate and environmental protection. Therefore there is no reason for any of those involved to complain. "
Meanwhile, Lindner distanced himself from a negotiation success of the FDP: In the debate about a speed limit he had "already not participated in the election campaign".
Traffic light also after 2025?
Lindner formulates goals for the SPD-Greens-FDP alliance
And what exactly will the traffic light look like?
"If you take the election programs as a starting point, then the traffic light obviously begins as an alliance of convenience," said Lindner of the
SZ
.
But “more can emerge” from this.
In an apparent swipe at the GroKo, which was always unpopular with the three partners, the FDP boss added that a coalition should come up with the intention of "being re-elected".
“If you do it differently, it leads to competition within the coalition.
That weakens a constellation as a whole. "
Lindner also holds out the prospect that the FDP wants to keep an eye on the “interests and concerns of the voters of the CDU and CSU”.
Meanwhile, he does not want to give up - unlike the Greens bosses Habeck and Annalena Baerbock - from his place at the top of the liberals.
“I'm elected until 2023.
If my party so wishes, I will run for re-election in 2023, ”he said.
(
fn
)
