On the way to the traffic light coalition: The truth is in your wallet

The SPD, Greens and FDP have put the first stage of their traffic light talks behind them in an orderly and unified manner. Two impressions remain: Fortunately, all three parties have said goodbye to (their) senselessly charged symbolic themes – but the big end is yet to come.

“Give and take” was mentioned several times at the presentation of the key points paper of the traffic light coalition. That’s pretty good, but it would be more precise: Nobody fought, and that was right. The Greens have given away their speed limit, which in truth would have little use for climate protection anyway. The SPD has separated from the wealth tax and other increases because there would have been no majority in the Federal Council for it anyway. And the FDP no longer insisted on the abolition of the solidarity surcharge, because the Constitutional Court will soon have the last word on it anyway.

Not charging these points publicly as a victory or defeat of one side or the other is a remarkable advance in community and a realistic sense of responsibility. And it is already noticeably more than the last GroKo had indicated. But of course you can’t get a government program together with wise renunciation alone.

How much does it cost, when and who?

A minimum wage of twelve euros, a faster exit from coal, clearing out of all state procedures and social benefits, easier immigration – those are the points that could actually change the country. Each party was allowed to make wish points, otherwise one would have ended up with the lowest common denominator. Nobody went overboard, for example Hartz IV: The hated term disappears, social benefits are bundled. But the sanctions for wrongdoing will not be removed.

All of this is wise – for this first stage. The hurdles on the next part of the route will of course be higher. Because there is little to nothing in the paper on the three questions that everyone with a wallet asks: How much does it cost, when and who?

How expensive the avoidance of climate-damaging CO2 should be for every household – when driving, heating and consuming – remains an open question. The answer is now doubly important because there will be no tax cut for middle and low incomes. Where the billions for the investments due will come from is also open. Large-scale debts are only possible in the next year, then no more. Subsidies are to be cut, private investors step in – that is not yet solid financial planning. Not to mention the resistance of certain groups in the population and among companies.

In short: the three traffic light parties have shaped a good, new style. You have clarified important points fairly. But it only becomes a government when all the questions have been resolved: those of the money, those of the costs for the citizen. For them, the truth in their wallet counts – no matter who rules.

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