"Everything so criss-cross": Söder tears Scholz apart - and says what he would do as chancellor

Created: 07/06/2022Updated: 07/06/2022 09:09

By: Stephanie Munk

Germany faces problems.

CSU boss Söder accuses the traffic light of being haphazard and a waste of money - and explains what he thinks would help.

Munich/Augsburg – Just over a year ago, the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) fought for the Union Chancellor candidacy – in an ugly power struggle with Armin Laschet (CDU).

Söder lost out, as did Laschet in the federal elections against Olaf Scholz (SPD) - and Söder announced that from now on he only wanted to rule and rule in Bavaria.

Back then, nobody could have guessed what challenges Germany would face: the Ukraine war, skyrocketing prices, supply bottlenecks, the energy crisis.

Scholz and his traffic light coalition can no longer get out of crisis mode.

And one can certainly ask how Söder would master these challenges - if he had become Chancellor of a Union-led coalition in the summer of 2021.

Söder gave a brief insight on Monday evening (July 4th) in an interview with Jan Hofer in the news magazine "RTL Direkt".

He commented on Olaf Scholz's "Concerted Action", with which the Chancellor, together with employers, trade unions, researchers and the Bundesbank, is struggling for relief.

"Of course it's good to talk and meet, but it's disappointing that nothing came of it," criticized Söder.

The existence of the German middle class is threatened and the gas supply for the fall is "zero secured": "I think it's all taking far too long," said the Bavarian Prime Minister, who was connected from Augsburg.

"There is far too much beating about the bush and too little decision-making."

Söder criticizes Scholz in a TV interview: "The 9-euro ticket is nice and likeable, but..."

Söder did not accept the objection by moderator Hofer that the traffic light coalition had already put together a relief package for the citizens, which had yet to take effect.

"Of course there are many missteps," he immediately criticized.

A 9-euro ticket sounds "yes nice and friendly", but it mainly benefits day-trippers and brings no relief for the energy crisis.

Pensioners are also excluded from the relief, and the tank discount is limited to a few months.

"It's all so criss-cross without having a clear direction," said the CSU boss.

And what would help more in Söder's opinion?

The Bavarian had an answer to that: "Finally abolish the cold progression, finally reduce the VAT for food to create relief for families" and lower the fuel and electricity tax.

The CSU boss, on the other hand, accused the traffic light coalition of wasting money: "Without efficient effect" debts of 300 million euros had already been incurred.

Söder criticizes Scholz in a TV interview: "These are contradictions that nobody understands"

Söder also accused the federal government of using the wrong strategy when dealing with Russia and the energy crisis.

"A lot of dismay is shown in Berlin, but that's not enough." Scholz must extend the lifespan of nuclear power plants, Söder insisted, everything else exacerbates the problems "in such an emergency situation": "These are contradictions that nobody understands."

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Söder also asked Scholz not only to talk to unions and employers, but also to the CDU/CSU, the largest opposition faction, during his "concerted action".

In such an "emergency situation" this is appropriate.

Söder's conclusion: "More speed, more transparency and, finally, results are needed everywhere."

Another prominent CDU representative now attacked the federal government - especially Economics Minister Robert Habeck - sharply for energy policy: Dorothee Bär calls for a gas summit.

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