Read the video transcript here
In any case, the traffic light coalition wanted to convey unity on their way to the press conference, where they presented the results of their coalition negotiations on Wednesday afternoon.
The jointly developed coalition agreement is 177 pages long.
The weeks of negotiations were obviously exhausting.
For many irritating: the appearance at the beginning in front of the stage.
Valerie Höhne, DER SPIEGEL
“It was kind of strange how they got in there, very slowly, very deliberately, somehow very serious. As if that weren't really a new beginning and as if the coalition agreement didn't keep what it promised on the front page, where it reads "Dare to make more progress". But I personally have the assumption that this is actually related to the corona situation. This is a government in crisis, it is now. And of course it is incredibly difficult to get off to a communicative start as the government of the crisis. But that is what is superimposed on all other topics at the moment. "
Olaf Scholz, SPD candidate for chancellor
»Corona is still not defeated, unfortunately.
Every day we set new records for the number of infections.
Even if the vaccination has made many courses much milder, more and more infected people are being admitted to hospitals in some regions. "
Among other things, Scholz promised to set up a permanent interdisciplinary pandemic expert group in the Chancellery to assess the situation.
The traffic light coalition wants to provide one billion euros for bonus payments in care.
Valerie Höhne, DER SPIEGEL
»When the epidemic emergency came to an end - that was, so to speak, the first law of the traffic light - you could now say that she made a mistake because the corona situation is worse than ever. But otherwise I do believe that the traffic light can also mean a real departure. It all depends on how these partners work together. I found it very interesting that Christian
Lindner spoke so benevolently of both the SPD and the Greens. "
Christian Lindner, FDP Federal Chairman
»To paraphrase Egon Bahr: Olaf Scholz has an inner handrail to lead this country forward based on a clear set of values and to represent far more people than just social democratic, green or liberally elected to have.
And that is why Olaf Scholz will be a strong Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
«
Valerie Höhne, DER SPIEGEL
»He was the one who had to go the furthest in this coalition.
And apparently he succeeded in doing that, in a very good mood, I think you can say. "
The mood on the podium got a little damper when the order of the speakers was apparently not known to everyone.
Saskia Esken: Ladies and gentlemen ...
Robert Habeck: Annalena's turn!
Saskia Esken: Is that so? OK. Yes please!
In any case, the Greens were seen as losers in the negotiations beforehand.
Has that turned out to be true?
Valerie Höhne, DER SPIEGEL
»I think you have set a few points in agriculture, of course, you have also set points in the socio-political area, that was already clear.
But now it will really have to be seen whether the Greens are the losers here or not.
What can be said, however, is that you have just given up the Ministry of Transport.
That's a big price to pay for the Greens.
And that is something that is already causing unrest in the party. "
The party leaders see the country with the coalition agreement as well prepared for the demands of the climate crisis.
Robert Habeck, Federal Chairman of Alliance 90 / The Greens
»We are on a 1.5-degree path with this coalition agreement.
And at the core of this new story that we can write together is the compatibility of prosperity and climate protection.
Like a red thread runs through the thought that opposites can complement each other through a new policy, can be overcome. "
For the former Chancellor candidate of the Greens, the post of foreign minister is planned - it should still not have an easy start.
Annalena Baerbock, Federal Chairwoman of Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen
"We have therefore mutually agreed to come back to an active European foreign policy ..."
Valerie Höhne, DER SPIEGEL
»She has been appointed Minister, together with Robert Habeck, but she will not be Vice Chancellor.
For her, of course, that's actually a personal defeat.
But the way she got out of this election, a result of 14.8 percent, clearly a defeat - now she's here and has led the Greens into government, so she has her most important promise, so to speak, that the Greens will belong to a new government should, she has now made it come true here today. "
Or, to put it in the words of Olaf Scholz:
Olaf Scholz, SPD candidate for Chancellor
"My most important message is: The traffic light is on."
The three parties, according to the plan, should now approve the coalition agreement in the next ten days.