Scholz and Co. take over: This is how the change of government should work

Scholz and Co. take over
This is how the change of government is supposed to work

In the coming week, the new federal government wants to take over the helm. To achieve this, two hurdles have already been cleared, and now the rest must also go according to plan. Before the traffic light coalition can really get started, there are still an election and a few formalities to be done.

After the SPD and FDP vote in favor, there is only one hurdle left on the way to the first traffic light coalition at federal level: This Monday, the vote of the Greens on the coalition agreement will be announced. Nobody doubts approval. Everything else for the change of government has long been prepared. This is the roadmap in case nothing goes wrong:

Monday: Greens ballot and SPD personal details

The 125,000 members of the Greens are allowed to vote on the coalition agreement and the personnel board for the new government until 1 p.m. The result is to be announced at 2:30 p.m. Although there was a dispute with the Greens over the allocation of posts, a clear yes is expected.

The SPD is the last of the three traffic light parties to name their ministers. The most exciting question is: who will be the Minister of Health? The Bundestag member, epidemiologist and frequent talk show guest Karl Lauterbach has a lot of sympathy on his side. But it is by no means certain that it will be. Because Scholz has to fulfill a promise when assigning the cabinet positions: He wants at least as many women as men in his government. For this, five of the seven ministerial posts of the SPD would have to be filled with women.

Tuesday: Signing of the coalition agreement

The work entitled “Dare to make more progress” has a proud 177 pages. With the signing, the first three-way alliance at federal level since the 1950s is sealed.

Wednesday: Chancellor election, appointment and swearing-in of the cabinet

The Bundestag meets at 9 a.m. to elect Olaf Scholz as Chancellor in a secret ballot. The SPD, Greens and FDP together have 416 of 736 members in the new parliament. A majority of all members of the Bundestag must vote for the election of the Chancellor, i.e. 369. 47 Scholz can afford to deviate from the coalition ranks. In the past, the results of the Chancellors were mostly below the number of coalition seats. But it can also work the other way around: In 1998, six more MPs voted for Gerhard Schröder from the SPD than the red-green coalition had seats in the Bundestag.

This is followed by a back and forth between the Bundestag and Bellevue Palace, the seat of the Federal President. First, Scholz receives his certificate of appointment from the head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Then he speaks the fixed oath formula in the Bundestag, with only one possible variation: He can decide for or against the addition “so help me God”. The ministers are then appointed in Bellevue Palace and sworn in in the Bundestag.

From the Bundestag Scholz goes to the Chancellery, where his predecessor Angela Merkel will hand over the official business to him – the end of an era after 16 years as Germany’s first head of government. Then it is time for the new federal government: Get to work. The first cabinet meeting could take place on the day of the swearing-in.

Thursday: Bundestag session and conference of prime ministers

The official business is also handed over in the federal ministries. The Bundestag holds another session. It is quite possible that Scholz will give his first speech as Chancellor in Parliament. It is customary for the head of government to issue a government statement on the government program after being elected. But that can also wait a few days. Merkel made her government declaration in 2018 only a week after her election.

The heads of government of the federal states come together for their regular meeting, in which Scholz will also take part. It will again be about the corona pandemic, but also other topics.

Friday: Presentation abroad

Scholz is likely to set off on his first trip abroad. He has already announced that he wants to go to Paris first. This is how his predecessor Merkel did it. 16 years ago, the day after the swearing-in, she was in Paris and Brussels one after the other – and was accompanied by her Foreign Minister Steinmeier.

It remains to be seen whether the Chancellor and Foreign Minister will make an inaugural trip together this time. The Green Chairwoman Annalena Baerbock, who is planned as chief diplomat, has announced Brussels as the first travel destination. It is quite possible that she will set off on her first trip on Thursday or even Wednesday afternoon.

The new Chancellor is likely to meet US President Joe Biden on his second full day at work – but only via video. Biden has invited to a virtual summit for democracy for Friday.

Saturday: SPD party congress and G7 foreign ministerial meeting

Baerbock can meet her most important partners in one fell swoop on Saturday and Sunday. The G7 foreign ministers’ meeting with their counterparts from the USA, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Canada will then take place in Liverpool. An important date, because Germany will take over the chairmanship of the group of major western economic powers on January 1st.

Scholz dives into party politics for a day. The SPD elects a new leadership. The previous general secretary Lars Klingbeil and the previous party leader Saskia Esken are running for the party chairmanship, the former Juso boss Kevin Kühnert wants to become general secretary.

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