Chancellor Scholz explains himself before the EU summit, but does not address the recent dispute over the correct way to deal with Ukraine. Opposition leader Merz and the Greens take this on board – and take the SPD seriously into court. The dispute over parliamentary group leader Mützenich continues.
The Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz and the Green party group leader Katharina Dröge were unexpectedly indifferent in criticizing statements made by the SPD leadership on Ukraine policy. “Such an unscrupulous war criminal cannot be met with cowardice, but only with clarity and determination,” said CDU leader Merz, referring to Vladimir Putin, in his response to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government statement. He asked Scholz to comment on the statements made by his parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich. The previous week he had called for more thought about a political settlement to the Ukraine war and had also suggested “freezing” the conflict.
These statements from the ranks of the SPD would be “followed very closely in Moscow,” said Merz. In addition to the SPD, Mützenich’s speech received applause from the AfD, the Left and the Wagenknecht MPs. “You have put yourself in good company with what you said here last Thursday,” said Merz. Merz also criticized Scholz’s statement from the previous day about the German debate about delivery of the Taurus cruise missile. This debate is “not ridiculous, this debate is dangerous for peace in Europe and for Ukraine.” The Chancellor is traveling to the European Council in Brussels as “Chancellor of a coalition in Berlin that is now openly questioning and damaging his authority as Chancellor.”
Dröge warns against “hesitation” and “hesitation”
The parliamentary group leader of Scholz’s government partners, the Greens, reacted less sharply in tone, but no less decisively, to the statements made by Mützenich and Scholz. “Anyone who wants to protect peace in Europe, anyone who wants to restore peace for Ukraine, anyone who wants to ensure peace for our country must oppose Vladimir Putin,” said Dröge without mentioning Mützenich by name. There is “nothing more wrong than leaving this path now, hesitating now, hesitating or wanting to take a different course.” That would not only bring less peace, but possibly further escalation.
Dröge also rejected the Chancellor’s criticism of the Taurus debate. “The situation in Ukraine is getting worse and more difficult, that’s why we’re having this debate in the German Bundestag, that’s why we’re wrestling with each other about how we can support Ukraine even better and that’s why I, as leader of the Green Party, can say that we as a group will continue with it.” said Dröge. “There is nothing ridiculous about it, as some people think.” She also didn’t mention Scholz’s name. The debate about the right aid for Ukraine cannot simply be ended. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock listened to the speech together with the almost fully represented cabinet. For weeks, the Greens have been demanding the Taurus delivery, as has the FDP parliamentary group.
Scholz: “Russia is not strong”
The Chancellor did not address the dispute in his half-hour speech, but mainly reported on the progress of the joint European support efforts for Ukraine. Thanks to the Federal Government’s efforts, the 5 billion euros in EU aid could now also be used for weapons from outside the EU, as could the interest income from the Russian foreign currency reserves frozen in Europe.
“It’s about solidarity and not about economic policy on this issue,” said Scholz, who had to wrestle with French President Emmanuel Macron on this issue, among others. The fact that he still referred to the president as “my friend” was met with derisive laughter from some members of parliament. It is an open secret that Scholz and Macron cannot find a personal connection to each other, despite efforts on both sides.
More weapons are needed for Ukraine, which is why Germany will produce more itself and support the establishment of production capacities in Ukraine. “If the Russian president believes that he just has to wait out this war and that our support will weaken, then he has miscalculated.” Russia is not strong. “What we have now seen are fraudulent elections.” Opposition candidates without prospects of success were excluded. “None of this is a sign of strength. In his further statements, Scholz also explained Germany’s Israel policy and defended the traffic light’s pension decisions to maintain the entry age and pension level.
SPD defends itself against attacks on Mützenich
The defense of Rolf Mützenich, who was only attacked after Scholz’s opening speech, was taken over by his deputy at the SPD parliamentary group leadership, Achim Post. He accused Merz of “an inappropriate speech, an irresponsible speech,” “riddled with defamatory statements.” He said: “The integrity of the SPD parliamentary group leader is inviolable.” While the Union limits itself to the debate about a single weapon system, Scholz is organizing broad help for Ukraine from all over Europe. In addition, the federal government is supporting the negotiations with a large number of states about the war in Ukraine, which Kiev is also supporting, and which are soon to take place in Switzerland.
As expected, AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel expressed sharp criticism of the Ukraine aid. “A black-green war coalition is forming in step with Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann,” she said. It was right for Scholz to reject Taurus deliveries. These would be needed by the Bundeswehr and a levy to Ukraine would be “a very clear participation in the war” because of the supposedly necessary participation of German soldiers. Weidel also questioned whether it made sense: “Even with the Taurus, Ukraine wouldn’t have the slightest chance of achieving its war goals.”
Weidel again called for peace negotiations and warned: “In fact, Germany is acting like a warring party.” She described the sanctions as an “economic war against Russia.” It is Ukraine’s right to defend itself against a war of aggression that violates international law. But Germany must pursue its own national interests and normalize its economic relations with Russia again.
As the following speaker, FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr reacted sharply to Weidel, who argued “absurdly illogical”. It is true that the Bundeswehr must be operational. But: “National defense is necessary because there is a threat,” said Dürr, referring to Russia. The AfD congratulated the election winner Putin, the party provided election observers who certified that the process was fair and party representatives recommended Putin’s style of government for Germany. “This is unpatriotic, you are endangering our security,” shouted Dürr. “They are not acting in the interests of the German people, they are harming them.” It was the only moment of the day when the traffic light and Union factions applauded together.