As of: February 19, 2024, 11:06 a.m
By: Hannes Niemeyer
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Press
Split
The CDU is blocking the Growth Opportunities Act.
On ARD, Friedrich Merz explains clearly why.
But a counterattack from the moderator surprises him.
Berlin – The parties in the Bundestag agree on one point: the economy is doing badly.
But how to get out of the recession?
Opinions vary widely there.
The traffic light government, for example, is planning a new law – the Growth Opportunities Act.
However, the CDU and CSU union considers this to be impractical and is blocking its adoption - and is already receiving accusations that this is purely motivated by party politics.
Meanwhile, the FDP is putting pressure on it; General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai, for example, has already spoken out in
Bild am Sonntag
in favor of a black-yellow coalition in order to find solutions to the country's problems.
So the fronts have hardened.
There is currently no solution in sight.
Much to the regret of Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir.
The Green politician spoke out clearly in favor of the law in the “Report from Berlin” on ARD.
At the same time, he also referred to the fire letter from the business associations, which called on the Prime Minister to end the blockade.
According to Özdemir, the letter was a clear statement: “Don’t ruin this opportunity for party political reasons.”
He himself would “very much regret” if the law were to fail due to “partisan political reasons”.
When asked about the scope of the law and the planned scope, he made it clear: “That was a big surcharge, that was seven billion, which was reduced to 3.2 at the request of the CDU/CSU.”
Traffic light growth opportunity law causes Merz to rumble – CDU boss reports “informal discussions”
However, the Union was immediately given the chance to counterattack appropriately.
In a quick change, Özdemir left the “Report from Berlin” studio on Sunday evening and made room for CDU leader Friedrich Merz.
And he immediately started with clear words about the law.
When asked about the blockade, Merz said that “it was not just us who called the mediation committee, but also the SPD-led state of Lower Saxony, the SPD-led state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The Prime Ministers, who are appointed by the SPD, have just as reservations about this Growth Opportunities Act as we do.”
Friedrich Merz spoke about the Growth Opportunities Act in the ARD’s “Report from Berlin”.
© Screenshot / ARD
At the same time, Merz revealed regarding a possible compromise that “informal discussions” had been held with the traffic light and that the federal government had also promised to submit a new paper.
“Nothing is coming,” he clarified, brushing off a quick chance for clarification.
However, Merz still hopes that it will be possible to “pass this little law”.
He also mentions his main point of criticism as to why no agreement has been reached so far.
Merz explains the CDU's blockade of the Growth Opportunities Act - and promises: "Then things will calm down for farmers too"
The fact that the federal government wants to contribute 1.5 billion to the law is “small, but at least it’s good,” said Merz.
With regard to the cuts in subsidies in agriculture, he accuses the traffic light of wanting to “refinance itself with 450 million in agriculture”.
If farmers had to pay a third of what the federal government provides, “then we say no, it doesn’t work that way, take it back,” said the CDU leader – who then also promised: “If that is taken back , then things will also be quieter for the farmers.”
However, presenter Matthias Deiß doesn't let Merz get away with it that easily.
The number 40 billion appears.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this is the amount of costs that would be incurred if all the points that Merz had suggested to improve the economic situation were implemented.
Presumably an allusion to the list of recommendations that the CDU leader sent to the traffic lights together with CSU regional group representative Alexander Dobrindt.
Moderator Deiß von Merz wants to know how this sum fits “at a time when there is no money without additional special funds or a reform of the debt brake, which the Union excludes”.
He has to trim first.
ARD man presents Merz Zahl with his economic growth plans - who is taken aback: "I'm just hearing this for the first time"
“Well, first of all, I don’t know where this number comes from.
“I’m hearing it here for the first time,” says the somewhat surprised Merz.
He doesn't have an immediate explanation ready - but he does have an argument to fire back: "This is a method that we know from the federal government.
Every time we make suggestions we are told they are too expensive.”
His approach: You have to fight the recession in the long term.
As a prime example, he chooses, of all things, a prestigious SPD project from the 2002/2003 recession.
Gerhard Schröder's Agenda 2010, which was a “successful program for long-lasting economic recovery”.
“This federal government must now respond with an Agenda 2030, or better yet, an Agenda 2040.”