Coalition seeks solutions
Traffic light beats the night around the ears
3/27/2023 7:32 am
The traffic light coalition in the Chancellery wants to work through a whole series of conflict issues. The sound had become rougher in the past few weeks. Accordingly, the negotiations continue.
The heads of the traffic light coalition in the federal government tried all night long to resolve various controversial issues in the government alliance in the chancellery. The negotiations between the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP lasted for more than twelve hours on Monday morning. Together with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the party and parliamentary group leaders have wanted to discuss differences in the planned acceleration of planning for infrastructure projects and climate protection since Sunday evening.
The First Parliamentary Secretary of the Greens in the Bundestag, Irene Mihalic, attributed the night session to the series of problems to be solved. “We have a lot of tasks ahead of us that we have to deal with urgently, especially in the area of the climate crisis,” said Mihalic in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”. A lot has already been achieved in the expansion of renewable energies, but now we also have to look at other areas. The disputed issues include a faster expansion of freeways, the controversial plans to replace oil and gas heating systems and the financing of basic child security.
In recent weeks, the tone in the coalition had become much rougher. Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck had even complained about a breach of trust because a bill from his house was pushed through to the media.
Controversial topic: replacement of oil and gas heating systems
FDP politicians, in turn, repeatedly urged discipline when spending money – especially with a view to the federal budget for 2024 that is now pending. FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai said before the summit: “All coalition parties must recognize the current financial realities. This includes compliance with the Debt brake and a prioritization of government spending.” The fact that the dispute between the EU Commission and the German government about the future of cars with combustion engines has been settled could have a positive effect on the atmosphere at the meeting in the Chancellery. The hanging game had been criticized above all by the Greens. It has been clear since Friday evening that cars powered by climate-neutral fuels may also be registered after 2035. The FDP had insisted on this.
The basic idea has actually long been agreed in the coalition: from 2024, if possible, only new heating systems that are operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy should be installed. In fact, this means the end of conventional oil and gas heating systems. Habeck poured that into a controversial bill. SPD and FDP both emphasize that homeowners and tenants should not be overwhelmed.
Faster construction of motorways: For months, the coalition has been arguing whether only railway lines and bridges should be built faster or also motorways. The FDP wants the latter. The Greens, on the other hand, categorically reject a faster expansion of motorways.
More climate protection in transport
The federal government has just met its climate goals in transport again, compared to the previous year the greenhouse gas emissions even increased. The Greens in particular, but also the SPD, are now putting pressure on Transport Minister Volker Wissing. For many months he has owed an immediate program with sufficient measures to permanently reduce CO₂ emissions in traffic.
From 2025, basic child security is to bundle state benefits for families and children. It is still controversial in the coalition what should be included. The Green Family Minister Lisa Paus wants an increase because, in her opinion, the previous aid does not adequately combat child poverty. It has therefore announced a need of twelve billion euros.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner does not consider an increase to be imperative because the coalition has just raised child benefits. The coalition committee includes the party and faction leaders of the three traffic light parties as well as the chancellor and several ministers – a total of almost 20 politicians. In the coalition agreement, the SPD, Greens and FDP agreed that the committee would meet monthly “to discuss fundamental and current political issues and to coordinate further work planning”. In practice, however, the committee met much less frequently.
