These issues shake the traffic light coalition

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The rags are flying around the German government. The three coalition parties SPD, Greens and FDP, who agreed government priorities in a contract for 2021, are now fighting over its implementation. A lot of money is involved: the individual ministries report additional expenditure of around 70 billion euros. FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner (44) goes much too far. He’s on the brakes.

Top-level talks of the traffic light coalition – SPD red, Greens and FDP yellow – have been taking place in Berlin since Sunday evening with the aim of finding compromises. The political scientist Jürgen Falter (79) sees the existence of the coalition in danger due to the current conflicts. There could be a rift between SPD chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) and Christian Lindner, he told the Bild.

If the Chancellor does not side with the Treasury Secretary and clearly support him in the dispute over fiscal discipline and the debt brake, Lindner would have “no choice but to resign,” Falter said. “That would be the end of the coalition.”

Those are the problems

Heating conversion: The Minister of Green Climate and Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (53) demands that from 2024 only heating systems may be installed that run on at least 65 percent renewable energy. This practically spells the end for new oil and gas heating systems.

Those who switch should be supported with a billion-dollar means-tested subsidy program. The FDP fears rising construction and rental costs and insists on modern technologies. Habeck is angry because his plans, which are still secret, have been made public through the media.

Expansion highways: The Greens demand immediate measures from FDP Transport Minister Volker Wissing (52) to reduce CO₂– permanently reduce emissions. This also means that the construction of railway lines and bridges must be brought forward. The FDP also demands the inclusion of the autobahns.

In addition, the FDP fights against a general speed limit and the phasing out of certain road subsidies. She also wants combustion engines that run on synthetic fuels generated from green electricity to be allowed in the EU after 2035.

Basic child protection: Child benefit, child benefit, Hartz IV, rent allowance – the bundle of financial aid is replaced by basic child security. The benefits should be much higher and amount to a maximum of 500 euros per child. In order to meet the debt brake, the FDP fights against the extra spending. She advocates digitization and simplification of family benefits in particular.

Defense spending: SPD Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63) calls for an extra 10 billion euros for the Bundeswehr. FDP-Lindner advocates using the money from the 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr.

stock pension: To finance the pension insurance, the state wants to invest money profitably. This year, 10 billion euros will flow into a fund for this purpose. That is not enough for the FDP: instead of a one-off payment, they want to pay 10 billion annually for at least 15 years.

Extension of the Chancellery: Because the Chancellery currently only has room for 400 of the 770 employees, SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to press ahead with plans for a second building. Complete nonsense for Lindner: “I believe that in times of home office and location-flexible working, a new building next to the State Chancellery, which will cost at least 800 million euros, is not necessary.”

Source: Blick