As of: February 13, 2024, 11:41 a.m
By: Florian Naumann
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Does Olaf Scholz have to take tougher action in the traffic light coalition?
The head of the Chancellery says no – and compares his boss to a couples therapist.
Berlin - The traffic light coalition is struggling with itself in view of the frightening survey results - according to its own statements, especially with the external presentation of what it has achieved.
FDP leader Christian Lindner had just
pointed out a kind of dilemma on
ZDF .
Now the Chancellor's right hand follows up.
With a rather daring comparison.
Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt (SPD) admitted on Tuesday (February 13th) at an appointment in Berlin that the survey results were “a clear signal to us”.
His stated hope: The traffic light partners should no longer air their conflicts so much in public.
However, he largely rejected criticism of Olaf Scholz (SPD) - pointing to well-known problems in the nation's "children's rooms".
Scholz is often a “couples therapist” in the traffic light: “Screaming in the children’s room”
The role of a head of the chancellery or a chancellor is often similar to that of a couples therapist - especially in a three-party coalition, which is still atypical in Germany, said Schmidt at the Association of Berlin Merchants and Industrialists (VBKI).
The head of the Chancellery compared the situation to that of a family with children.
“Two are always okay, but with three there is a relatively high risk that a lot of screaming will end up coming from the children's room.” One always feels left out.
There had been similar warnings before the start of the coalition from the FDP.
The ideological differences are particularly large between the Greens and the FDP, explained Schmidt.
However, he believes that CDU leader Friedrich Merz would lead such a coalition worse than Scholz with his “balancing” style.
Couple therapist in the discussion group: Olaf Scholz (Wed.) with Robert Habeck (L.) and Wolfgang Schmidt at the cabinet table.
© Imago/Ipon
However, the Chancellor's repeatedly called for directive authority is difficult to implement because the traffic light is a three-party coalition, the principle of independent departments is enshrined in the constitution and the Bundestag and not the government is the budget legislator.
“That means you can advertise as head of government or exert gentle pressure,” said Schmidt.
But speaking out is actually “not really provided for” in the German government system and can only be used sparingly.
Scholz resorted to such a power word in October 2022 - with mixed results.
Scholz's head of the Chancellery weighs down the recession - and points to the debt brake
At the same time, Schmidt emphasized to the Berlin business representatives that he did not see Germany in a recession.
“We don’t have a recession,” he said.
“We will see growth this year,” he added, pointing to very high investments by the federal government.
In addition to the 58 billion euros in the budget, 49 billion euros would come from the so-called Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF).
The side effects of a recession are currently not visible.
“The labor market is very stable.” Real wages have also risen again, which will lead to increased purchasing power.
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Schmidt referred to further necessary reforms, especially in reducing bureaucracy.
When it comes to the economy, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) and Lindner recently showed agreement - at least on the surface.
Lindner warned in an interview with the
Münchner Merkur
that the coalition must work “faster and more decisively” against “drags on growth”.
Schmidt now highlighted the Skilled Immigration Act as a measure against the shortage of skilled workers.
Because of the debt brake in the Basic Law, Germany cannot take the path like the USA of financing investments through massive debt.
The Ukraine war alone means a burden on the 2024 federal budget of around 17 billion euros.
(
rtr/fn
)