Monday, November 8th, 2021
Greens vice in “ntv early start”
Lang calls for the return of free citizen tests
How is the upcoming traffic light government responding to the fourth corona wave? Greens Deputy Chief Lang largely rules out a new lockdown or a nationwide 2G rule. Instead, it should be tested more broadly again and 3G should be implemented in the workplace.
The Deputy Green Party leader Ricarda Lang speaks out in favor of a return of free corona citizen tests, including for those who have not been vaccinated. “The point is that a test option is actually created for everyone,” said Lang in the ntv program “Frühstart”. A test strategy “that also has an impact” is needed again. In order to get the pandemic under control again, an “expansion of the tests is now very central”. The idea of putting pressure on unvaccinated people by means of paid tests has not proven to be successful. “In fact, the opposite has happened. In fact, fewer tests were carried out overall.”
Lang also spoke out in favor of making 3G mandatory in the workplace. “I think it’s also about extending protection in the workplace to those who have been vaccinated.” However, she turned against nationwide applicable 2G rules. “This is not currently provided for in our current bills,” said Lang with reference to the planned Corona law for the traffic light parties. 2G makes sense where the incidences are high. “Because it ensures that there is stronger protection and of course at this point the pressure is sensibly increased on those who are still not vaccinated because of solidarity.”
The Green politician defended the decision of the traffic light parties, despite record incidence figures, to let the epidemic emergency run out and thus to rule out more stringent measures such as a lockdown. It is about creating a legally secure basis for the federal states – “a legally secure basis so that measures can be taken to counteract these horrific numbers”. Because of the advanced vaccination campaign, the Ampel partners no longer see the basis for the epidemic emergency. “Nevertheless, it is clear that there must continue to be restrictions and regulations,” said Lang. As examples, she cited test obligations as well as mask and distance rules.
Climate protection is not just the responsibility of the Greens
With a view to the climate summit in Glasgow, the deputy head of the Greens demanded more money from Germany for countries that are particularly affected by climate change. Lang said at ntv: “We are definitely campaigning for stronger climate finance within the coalition negotiations.” This applies above all to support for countries in the global south. It is a question of justice, because those who caused the climate crisis would not be the first to feel the consequences. “The fact that we are assuming at least financial responsibility here makes sense both in terms of climate policy, but also in terms of global justice.” She is “very optimistic” to enforce this in the negotiations with the SPD and FDP.
Lang put pressure on the two likely government partners in climate policy. “I am optimistic that all parties will recognize that, in the end, climate protection is a cross-cutting task for everyone who wants to take on political responsibility in this country.” Whether enough has been done in the negotiations for climate protection should not be measured by what the Greens wanted, but by the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Federal Constitutional Court. The court had called for stricter measures to prevent burdens for later generations. “The Federal Constitutional Court did not address its verdict to the Greens, but to all political parties and all future governments,” said Lang. “It’s a shared responsibility.”