Ring exchange, delivery, criticism – that’s what the debate is about

The traffic light coalition remains divided in the Taurus debate. This was also evident on Thursday in the Bundestag: There, a motion from the CDU/CSU parties was voted on that would call on the federal government to deliver the cruise missile to Ukraine after all. The Foreign Affairs Committee recommended in advance that the application should not be accepted. And that’s how it happened: With 495 out of 690 votes, the majority of MPs decided to reject the CDU and CSU’s proposal, i.e. not to deliver Taurus.
Previously, some MPs from the Greens and FDP had generally spoken out in favor of a delivery, such as the deputy chairwoman of the Green parliamentary group, Agnieszka Brugger. SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich, on the other hand, supported Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his no to the Taurus delivery – and warned of the dangers of a possible escalation. “Turning times are not for political players. What is needed is understanding, prudence and clarity. And the Chancellor does this in the consideration that he has as head of government,” said Mützenich. Olaf Scholz himself was not present at the vote.