The FDP should not shy away from the conflict and continue to stick to its tough stance.
(Photo: Reuters)
Political disputes are fundamental to democracy. In this respect, the closed conference in Meseberg by the SPD, Greens and FDP was a complete success. Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke a lot about confidence and the will to change. That didn’t quite go with the fact that one can no longer speak of cooperation, especially among the coalition partners, the Greens and the Liberals.
But is that really that bad? For years it was criticized how tired and listless the grand coalitions of the Union and the SPD seemed and that all conflicts were always solved simply because there was more money. And the self-proclaimed progressive coalition was chosen primarily because many were tired of seeing the mildew settle over the country.
After the shock of Corona and the beginning of the Ukraine war a year ago, what is needed for the renewal of the country is now happening. The right way is being argued about again and the lack of alternatives is not pointed out, which nobody really believed in anyway. So one can only encourage the FDP not to shy away from the conflict – and to stick to their tough stance. It is not only about the culture of debate, but also about content.
The FDP has good arguments in the contentious issues of tax policy, the phasing out of combustion engines or the hasty ban on oil and gas heating. Everyone can start a thought experiment and briefly imagine what a red-green government would have decided after the change of era proclaimed by the Federal Chancellor.
The debt brake would have been removed long ago, the service providers would have to pay higher taxes, and it would not even have been enough to extend the life of the three nuclear power plants that remained on the grid. The result would have been even higher energy prices.
Good reasons for the FDP objections to the combustion engine off
Debt brake, higher taxes or even more debt at European level. From the point of view of some economists, this may be the right way out of the crisis, but there are many pertinent arguments against it. This also applies to the FDP’s objections to the end of combustion engines from 2035.
It’s true, the objection by the FDP is very close. But why does the whole of Brussels feel reluctant to do open-technology research on e-fuels? This has nothing to do with an “e-fuels fetish”.
Car manufacturers like Porsche do that, even if it is very expensive as of today. But if it works, it’s good. If not, then not. And it was also promised by the EU Commission.
>> Read here: Cabinet meeting in Meseberg: discussion about combustion engines continues
The same applies to the dispute over the European answer to the Inflation Reduction Act, with which the USA is subsidizing green technologies. The answer came reflexively with calls for new, multi-billion dollar subsidy pots for European companies.
Political disputes are fundamental to democracy. Accordingly, the closed meeting of the traffic light government in Meseberg was a complete success.
(Photo: Kostas Koufogiorgos)
Here, too, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner has legitimate objections. Word should have got around that a subsidy race for future technologies only has losers in the end. Money isn’t everything. First and foremost, Europe must once again pursue a clever location and trade policy.
Political goals are one thing, the reality of life another
This is closely related to the tax and budget dispute in Germany. Of course, the easiest way would be to skim off those “up there”, as the Greens and SPD-Leftists want. In Germany, a high-tax country, this only chokes off the necessary boost.
The list of differences in the coalition could be continued, including replacing the oil and gas heating systems from 2024. There is no doubt that Germany should achieve its climate goals. However, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck must offer the citizens reliability if they are to invest in the five-digit range. Political goals are one thing, the reality of life and a loan for a new heat pump are another.
The Liberals are currently referred to as the party of naysayers or abused as SUV bigwigs. From the point of view of the FDP, it might be easier to keep the coalition peace and agree to everything. But they would be doing the country no service.
More: Scholz repeatedly takes Lindner’s side – to the annoyance of the Greens