Berlin One week after the general election, the struggle for a new government alliance is in full swing. On Sunday, the SPD of Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz met individually with the leaders of the FDP and the Greens to sound out opportunities for a traffic light coalition – and in the evening then Armin Laschet’s union with the FDP to explore a three-way alliance with her and the Greens .
After the conversations, which lasted a little more than two hours, all sides described an objective and constructive atmosphere. “The SPD is now ready for three-way talks,” said the Secretary General of the Social Democrats, Lars Klingbeil. The FDP and the Greens, on the other hand, initially reserved an assessment – however, the FDP emphasized that the differences with the SPD are greater than with the Union.
At the same time, Union Chancellor candidate Laschet (CDU) came under increasing pressure in their own ranks after the election debacle. The FDP called on the Union to clarify internally.
The SPD is counting on rapid progress in the talks for a traffic light government. It should be decided quickly how to proceed, said Klingbeil. In terms of content, both possible partners have been discussed about topics that move the country. After the two meetings, he specifically mentioned climate protection, digitization, the modernization of the state as well as global and European political issues.
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One spoke objectively “about the great tasks of our time,” said Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock. Green leader Robert Habeck emphasized that the big difference between the talks with the FDP and the SPD was the previous participation of the SPD in government.
Laschet and Söder demand loyalty and community spirit within the Union
But: “We have also found a willingness in the SPD and determined to actually start all over again, to spark a dynamic that can then perhaps solve the problems that have remained.”
FDP General Secretary Volker Wissing, on the other hand, emphasized in the afternoon: “Of course it was also clear that our content-related positions differed in essential points.” However, it was known that these cliffs existed.
“It is also clear that we are determined to form a reform government that will bring our country forward,” he emphasized. The Greens and the FDP had already met twice for confidential meetings in the past few days.
After the first round of talks between the FDP and the Union, Wissing said in the evening: “We had a constructive conversation and there were few cliffs in terms of content.” CDU General Secretary Paul Ziemiak said he saw a lot of common ground. “In this conversation we created a common understanding that something new has to be created.” The major tasks for the future of Germany could only be moved with new approaches. Ziemiak mentioned the preservation of prosperity, climate protection and digitization.
“A start that makes you want more”
The Union is ready to face the responsibility. Regarding her election debacle, Ziemiak said the Union was not entitled to lead the government but was making an offer. A Jamaica alliance with the FDP and the Greens would have many opportunities for the country.
CSU General Secretary Markus Blume praised: “That was a good start that made you want more.” It has been shown that both sides are very close to one another “in terms of essential content”. Now it is a matter of creating a new era and not just managing the status quo. “Think big” is the claim, not the search for the lowest common denominator.
A first meeting between the Union and the Greens is planned for this Tuesday. The SPD was the strongest force in the election with 25.7 percent. The Union fell to 24.1 percent. The Greens gained 14.8 percent, and the FDP also improved to 11.5 percent.
Wissing emphasized that a stable government was necessary. He had previously told the newspapers of the Funke media group with a view to the quarrels at the Union: “The Union must also clarify whether it pulls together.”
The FDP and the Greens are entering the second round of exploratory talks
The Greens expressed confidence that they would belong to a future coalition. “If we don’t act completely stupid, we will not only support this government for the next four years, but also have a significant say in it,” said Habeck on Saturday at a small party conference.
Baerbock said her party was elected by seven million people, many of them young. This gives an order as part of the government to ensure a real renewal of the country. The 120,000 Greens members are to vote on a coalition agreement and the staffing of a possible government.
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich was confident of getting good results quickly. “We will all meet at eye level,” he told the German press agency. SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans told the “Welt am Sonntag”: “This time we don’t have to probe until we drop, because we want a traffic light in which all three partners contribute their strengths. Seen in this way, we could start the formal coalition negotiations in October and conclude them by December. “
At the same time, the CDU is discussing a new structure in terms of content and personnel more and more openly. “There must be a federal party congress for this, no later than January,” said party vice Jens Spahn of “Welt am Sonntag”. “Nobody can deny that mistakes were made in the election campaign and that our top candidate did not draw correctly.”
Several CDU politicians called for a member vote on a new line-up if explorations with the FDP and the Greens fail. The economic politician Carsten Linnemann said “Bild”: “We will not get around the involvement of the members in the next decision on the presidency.” Junge Union boss Tilman Kuban, told the “Welt am Sonntag:” In the CDU now no Stay more focused on the other. ”He called for a new direction in terms of content and personnel. It is “time for young minds”.
More: Comment: For Laschet it is now all or nothing