As of: January 27, 2024, 2:10 p.m
By: Yekaterina Jalunina
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Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Chancellor Olaf Scholz before the meeting of the Federal Cabinet.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The relationship between Scholz and Lindner is controversially discussed in the German media and raises questions about cooperation in the traffic light coalition.
Berlin – A report in the
Bild newspaper
describes an alleged increasing tension between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
The whole thing stems from differences of opinion about financial strategies and political decisions.
According to
Bild,
the relationship was strained by the Constitutional Court's ruling in November 2023 on the "traffic light debt trick", which led to alienation and frustration within both parties.
The
Bild newspaper
quotes sources from the FDP who speak of Lindner's disappointment and disillusionment with Scholz, especially with regard to the debt brake and the dispute over child benefit increases.
The report points to a deep rift in the coalition that is manifesting itself in various policy areas, including fiscal policy and social welfare measures.
Traffic light coalition: Lindner's relationship with Scholz remains trusting
The
Rheinische Post,
on the other hand, writes “Federal Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner described his relationship with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) as still trusting and assured the continued existence of the traffic light coalition.”
Lindner describes the relationship with Scholz and Habeck as stable and trusting.
According to this report, Lindner emphasizes that despite intensive discussions and differences of opinion, the coalition partners work together professionally and with mutual understanding.
In doing so, he refutes the portrayal of a broken relationship and reaffirms the continued existence and ability of the traffic light coalition to act.
The future development of the relationship between the leaders of the traffic light coalition and the impact on Germany's political landscape remains to be seen, particularly in view of the upcoming negotiations on the 2025 budget and the long-term stability of the government.
Debate in the traffic light coalition: dispute over climate money
Recently, the tension between Scholz and Lindner has come into focus again, particularly in relation to the discussion about climate money.
Finance Minister Lindner said that the climate money would not be paid out in this election period because the financial resources were not available.
This statement is contrary to the latest statements by the Chancellor, represented by his spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, who emphasized that the final decision on climate money had not yet been made.
Hebestreit referred to Lindner's statement regarding the technical requirements for a per capita payment by the end of the year.
He emphasized that once these conditions have been created, the decision on the payment must be made in the budget, with reference also being made to the budget ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court.
On behalf of Olaf Scholz, Hebestreit explained that the possible payout mechanism should now be implemented quickly.
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jek
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