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Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU:
“Mr. Chancellor, nine months ago you had the chance, maybe even the historic chance, to really change this country fundamentally for the better. You didn't take this chance. And you probably won't get another chance like that, by all human standards."
The judgment of Union leader Friedrich Merz over almost a year of traffic light coalition is harsh - not surprising, in the general debate in the Bundestag it is traditionally fundamental.
This year, the energy crisis has made the major exchange of blows between the government and the opposition even more explosive.
Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU:
»Since the summer of this year we have been seeing a significant shortage in our country's energy supply. And with this shortage comes drastic price increases. If the German government had reacted to this in good time, consistently and, above all, with the right instruments, prices would still be significantly higher than before the war. But then there would not have been such price swings as we have been seeing for a few months.«
Merz speaks first, then Scholz's turn - that's what the protocol says.
And the chancellor's counterattack has it all:
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor:
»Dear Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, dear Mr. Merz. Just listening to you made me think of Alice in Wonderland. What is really big, you downplay. And vice versa, what actually happened and who was responsible for everything blurring. And what initially sounds logical is in fact sheer nonsense.«
The general debate traditionally sweeps away all the important issues: security policy, the energy and climate crisis, relief packages and, of course, the economy.
For the leader of the opposition, one thing is clear: the government is failing across the board.
Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU:
»Now the whole thing can be ticked off, ladies and gentlemen, under the keyword poorly crafted government action. That's the way it is, maybe you can't do it any better. That probably won't change either. The tragedy is that the situation for millions of households and people in this country is getting worse every day. That many people today at the end of the month don't know how to reach the end of the month and that many companies now ... If they deny that, then they obviously no longer notice large parts of what is happening in the country!"
Olaf Scholz decisively rejects the criticism.
The traffic light inherited many omissions from the CDU-led government.
Nevertheless, she has the current crisis under control.
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor:
“This federal government is making up for all of these omissions, despite the war in Ukraine, despite the pandemic, despite the energy crisis, despite disrupted supply chains and global inflation. (...) Our country needs change. Merely continuing like this is not an option. I looked at you on purpose. The Carry On Party is now in the opposition and that’s where it belongs.«
Even in the dispute over details, it becomes clear again and again: Friedrich Merz and Olaf Scholz not only have different ideas about what the German population wants and needs - the question of power is always paramount.
Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU:
“They promise a flat rate for energy costs and forget about the students and pensioners in the first round. Then you catch up on these payments to the pensioners and to this day you cannot answer the question of whether these payments to the pensioners are taxable or not. What kind of legislation are you making here?”
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor:
“You talk about exoneration, but you vote against it. We implement relief. And then I hear that you, Mr. Merz, stand up at the CDU party conference and claim in all seriousness that the problem in our country is not the last 16 years of the CDU-led federal government, but the last 16 weeks under the leadership of the traffic light coalition. I can only say: Whoever believes that also believes in talking white rabbits. Welcome to Alice's Wonderland. Welcome to the wonderland of the CDU/CSU, where reality is upside down.«
Which reality the Germans consider more realistic should also depend on how well the country gets through the winter - and with it the already ailing traffic light coalition.
