Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Rare election campaign appearance
Merkel: Laschet guarantor for a strong economy
According to Merkel, who is still Chancellor, the general election is about a lot. On the one hand, there is a policy that strengthens the economy. On the other hand, one that “just thinks about distributing”. Union candidate Laschet is a guarantor for the former, says Merkel – and warned of a red-green-red coalition.
In one of her few campaign appearances, Chancellor Angela Merkel advertised Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet as a guarantor for a strong economy and secure jobs. In the general election on Sunday, it was about Germany “keeping up with the best in the world,” said the CDU politician in Stralsund. “Good work” and “good pay” will only exist in the future “if we are among the best in the world.”
As Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Laschet is fighting for every job – Merkel was convinced that he would do the same as Federal Chancellor. He also stands for “the best equipment” of security authorities, the police and the armed forces.
The Chancellor warned against a coalition of the SPD, the Greens and the Left after the election. It is necessary to return to “solid finances” after the high level of new borrowing during the corona pandemic. “I don’t think a red-red-green government will do that,” said Merkel. She also criticized “distrust” of security authorities and police forces without ascribing this to any particular party.
Merkel asked those present “that you do everything you can to secure Germany’s prosperity for the next few years” and to consolidate the security of the country. Laschet is “the one who can do it”. “A lot is going on in the election on Sunday,” stressed Merkel. On the one hand, there is a policy of “measure and middle”, which gives companies that want to create jobs the necessary freedom. On the other hand, there is a policy “that only thinks about distribution, not about making money”.
Laschet for “climate-neutral industrial country”
Laschet also said in his speech that in the current situation, companies should not be burdened by higher taxes. “They should invest and create jobs.” At the same time, Germany must become a “climate-neutral industrial country”. However, the CO2 limit values should not be too strict, otherwise entire branches of industry, such as steel production, could migrate to China. He also does not want a “red-green ban policy,” said Laschet.
He also took up the issue of security: It is important to have a federal government that “guarantees internal and external security”. That is “not possible with red-red-green”. The Union, on the other hand, wants “a strong state that creates security for us all”. It rained heavily at the election campaign event on Stralsund’s market square. Both Merkel’s and Laschet’s speeches were accompanied by boos and loud whistles.