The new traffic light government has start-up problems.
So far, however, this has no consequences.
Because the Union as the opposition is primarily concerned with itself and the CDU power struggle rages on.
A comment by Georg Anastasiadis.
The new red-green-yellow federal government has been in office for five weeks.
It wants to be a “coalition of awakening” - but where this awakening should lead is not quite clear, at least with regard to the two key issues of this time.
So far there has not been a word from the new Chancellor Olaf Scholz about how he wants to protect the common people, especially those who are under protection of his SPD, from the consequences of the worsening energy price crisis.
Scholz has also miscalculated when it comes to compulsory vaccinations: he wanted to have it enforced by the beginning of March at the latest.
But this date can no longer be kept.
And in view of the omicron wave, it is questionable whether the vaccination will be compulsory at all.
The traffic lights have problems, but there is no real opposition leader
So there are initial problems with the traffic lights. But these have no consequences. This is due to the Union's blatant weakness. In the election on September 26th, the latter went into political bankruptcy that will plague them for a long time to come. There is currently no real opposition leader because the CDU is too busy continuing its rock-hard power struggle: The parliamentary group leader, Ralph Brinkhaus, who was elected until the end of March, has not yet thought of voluntarily vacating his office for future party leader Friedrich Merz. Conversely, before the NRW election in May, which is essential for the CDU's survival, he can hardly risk a blow and stabbing in his party, which in the end could also damage himself.
This explains the confusing variety of pointers that are currently coming from the Union: Merz sees the compulsory vaccination and tougher lockdown measures critical, Brinkhaus, on the other hand, is profiling itself with demands for a hard course, Söder meanders in between.
What now?
The CDU must clarify its leadership issue quickly.
Having Merz elected party leader by the members with a two-thirds majority in order to subsequently prevent him as leader of the joint CDU / CSU parliamentary group would be the program for the Union's self-destruction.
Söders CSU must not reach out to do this.