When the general debate is on the agenda during the budget discussions in the German Bundestag, there is traditionally an exchange of blows between the government and the opposition. It’s the same this Wednesday. At the center of the dispute are Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Union faction leader Friedrich Merz.
There are great expectations of Scholz’s speech. He won’t disappoint her. The head of government addresses the plenary session with clear words, a combative tone and a clear focus on future issues.
For example, when it comes to naming what improvements the SPD-led federal government has recently introduced. Scholz mentions the financial improvement for large groups of employed people, for example through higher child benefit and tax relief. But also the job boost for refugees from Ukraine and measures against irregular migration.
A shortage of skilled workers is causing problems
Scholz also mentions the Skilled Immigration Act, which is intended to facilitate the controlled immigration of people to Germany. “Germany has the highest employment level ever,” he says. The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges facing the local economy. The previous government led by the Union did nothing in this area.
Scholz is addressing this directly to the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz. In his opening speech, he sharply attacked the traffic light coalition for its budget policy, among other things, without presenting his own proposals for financing future investments.
“What does your program have to do with the future of Germany,” asks Scholz in the direction of the Union faction. And provides the answer: “nothing.” The Union wants to pull the brakes on growth from before, says the Chancellor with a view to the debate about suspending the debt brake. “This means no prospects for industry or jobs,” said the SPD politician to cheers and applause from the coalition factions of the SPD, Greens and FDP.
The CDU has no ideas of its own
In addition to Scholz, the parliamentary group leaders of the Greens and FDP, Britta Haßelmann and Christian Dürr, also accuse Merz and the Union of refusing to cooperate constructively. But given the growing threat from the right, she is more in demand than ever. By blocking the Growth Opportunities Act in the Federal Council, the Union is preventing good governance on the part of the federal government, criticizes Dürr. He also accuses the CDU and CSU of lacking ideas.
The “plain-text chancellor” (as the SPD parliamentary group called him a little later) was no less committed and made his way to Europe on January 31st. The Federal Government will not let up in its support for Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia, he emphasizes. However, military aid within Europe would have to be distributed among more shoulders.
In order to strengthen the economy in the EU, he will promote a uniform corporate tax in the partner countries. Banks in particular should benefit from the end of different taxation. “We must finally remove this obstacle to growth and prosperity,” demands Scholz.