Thursday, September 30, 2021
“Early start” with youth bosses
“None of us want GroKo standstill”
There are numerous substantive differences between the chairmen of the youth organizations of the Greens and the FDP. They all agree on one point: “Regardless of whether traffic lights or Jamaica, in the end the Greens and the FDP will have to sit at the same table.”
FDP and Greens start exploratory talks. Despite many differences, Jens Teutrine, Federal Chairman of the Young Liberals, sees potential that the Greens and FDP can find each other in these talks. “We held talks with the Greens first and I think that’s right despite all the differences,” said Teutrine in the “early start” at ntv. “Because we were united in the election campaign that the FDP and the Greens led an election campaign against the status quo.”
Georg Kurz, federal spokesman for the Green Youth, agreed with Teutrine that the status quo should change, but also emphasized that the FDP must rethink and adapt its policy so that the explorations are successful: “The FDP will not get around it, to finally make politics for the whole of society and not just for the few rich as before. “
Kurz criticized the fact that the FDP already ruled out tax increases and large state investments for more climate protection. He sees great potential for conflict in these issues: “This combination will crash,” said the Green politician: “It will be difficult to come together if this remains the logic of the FDP.”
“We don’t want any tax increases”
Teutrine actually drew a red line when it came to taxes. “We do not want any tax increases or the top tax rate. A wealth tax for companies would also be wrong,” said the FDP politician: “We saved companies during the crisis and it would now be the wrong signal to burden these companies.” The chairman of the Young Liberals points out, however, that there is an exception to this issue: “We need regulations in large tech companies that are taxed internationally.”
There could be more agreement on climate policy. Both parties agree that more needs to be done to protect the climate. “Climate protection must have high priority. We share the goal,” said Teutrine. The FDP and the Greens are only divided on the path. “Climate change is a global problem and we need a global answer.” The FDP relies on openness to the market and openness to technology.
The head of the Green Youth criticized this approach. “Openness to technology is a code for doing nothing and letting it continue as before,” said Kurz. “I would like to grow old on this planet. And that will not work if we carry on as before.”
“People don’t want Armin Laschet as Chancellor”
While the two youth leaders agree that they disagree on many points, Teutrine pointed out that the FDP and the Greens could quickly find a solution to the issue of CO2 pricing: “That what is earned through the prize should also be distributed in a socially responsible manner The Greens call it a climate premium, we call it a climate dividend. “
Despite all the difficulties, Teutrine emphasized that it was very important for the government to find a common denominator for the Greens and the FDP. “Regardless of whether traffic lights or Jamaica, in the end the Greens and FDP will have to sit at the same table. None of us want GroKo to stand still.”
Teutrine briefly agreed that the time of the grand coalition must be over. But he also emphasized that it should not matter to the Greens whether they were part of the government in a traffic light or in a Jamaica coalition. With a view to a Jamaica alliance, Kurz says that he could “not even imagine” forming a coalition with the Union. “This is not only because they are all beating each other up in the Union, but because the Union has been voted out of business for the past 16 years.” Kurz went on to say: “The people don’t want Armin Laschet as Chancellor, we don’t have to discuss that. The Union was voted out of office the day before yesterday because of its anti-future and anti-social policies.”