Wednesday October 27, 2021
First speech since explorations
Scholz in a good mood and confident
Finance Minister Scholz gives the first speech at a congress of the IGBCE trade union since the traffic light explorations began. There he is more relaxed than ever before and demonstrates great optimism for the coalition negotiations.
In his first speech in several weeks, SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz expressed confidence in the outcome of the coalition negotiations with the Greens and FDP. At the congress of the Mining, Chemical and Energy Union (IGBCE) in Hanover, he described “what this government” is planning to do in the coming year – although there is still no coalition agreement. He promised the trade unionists to create the conditions for climate-neutral production and secure jobs in the chemical industry and to provide social cushioning for the exit from coal.
“I say very clearly: The new government will set all the course in the first year so that Germany has enough electricity for the industry and jobs of the future,” said Scholz, who is likely to become Federal Chancellor in a traffic light coalition. Gas is also needed for the transition to climate neutrality, he said. Gas-fired power plants should also be built – especially since Germany is phasing out nuclear energy in the coming year. The coal phase-out should also take place by 2038 at the latest. “We have a major structural change ahead of us in the coal industry,” said Scholz. “It can’t go the way it does in the USA, where cities, companies, counties and employees are left alone in the so-called Rust Belt.”
The coal exit is one of the points of contention between the Greens and the SPD. The Greens are campaigning for an end to coal by 2030. The Social Democrats, on the other hand, point to the upheavals that would mean an early end for the lignite regions, for example in Lusatia. The question of whether taxes should be increased and who will become finance minister also offers potential for controversy.
So far, the parties involved have shown a great willingness to come to an agreement. Which also went with Scholz’s exhibited optimism. The SPD, Greens and FDP plan to conclude the coalition negotiations in the coming weeks. Scholz could be sworn in as early as December, said FDP General Secretary Volker Wissing in the “early start” at ntv. In Hanover, Scholz appeared almost as if he were already Federal Chancellor. Green leader Annalena Baerbock, FDP chairman Christian Lindner and CDU leader Armin Laschet will also speak at the IGBCE congress this Wednesday.
Scholz reaffirmed several campaign promises to the delegates. “I am glad that we will raise the minimum wage to twelve euros and that ten million employees will get better wages.” The pension level should also be stable and the retirement age should not be increased. Childcare in day nurseries and all-day care is to be expanded. Scholz received several friendly applause – for example when he emphasized how important the unions should remain in the future.