In the traffic light coalition’s dispute over possible deliveries of the Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine, deputy FDP chairman Wolfgang Kubicki has accused SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich of unconstitutional behavior. Mützenich had demanded consequences with regard to coalition members who voted for the Taurus delivery in the Bundestag, contrary to the government line. Kubicki was outraged by this. “Anyone, like Mr. Mützenich, who demands consequences for voting behavior he dislikes is at war with our constitution,” said the Bundestag Vice President Editorial Network Germany.
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Kubicki asked Mützenich not to repeat such demands: “I strongly advise him to refrain from making such unconstitutional statements that are directed against Article 38 of the Basic Law.” Article 38 states that members of the Bundestag are not bound by orders and instructions and are only subject to their conscience.
SPD and Greens united against Taurus delivery
On Thursday, the Bundestag rejected by a large majority a request from the Union for the immediate delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, Kubicki and his party colleague Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the chairwoman of the Defense Committee, voted for the CDU/CSU motion. The SPD and the Greens voted unanimously against it. However, a group of Green MPs called for the weapon system to be delivered in a personal statement.
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Strack-Zimmermann had already voted for the Taurus delivery in an earlier vote. Mützenich criticized the fact that the FDP had nevertheless put the dissident on the list of speakers during the debate in the Bundestag. “I found that not only unusual, but also offensive to me personally,” he said. “And I hope that this has consequences within the respective factions.” Mützenich also criticized it as “very indecent” if members of other parliamentary groups insulted the Chancellor.
Kubicki wrote in a personal statement about his voting behavior, according to information from the Handelsblatt With regard to Mützenich’s statements: “Anyone who introduces such statements into the public debate forfeits the right to describe themselves as defenders of our basic democratic order.”
Kevin Kühnert calls for the Union to give in
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert meanwhile called on the Union faction not to force the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine again through a vote in the Bundestag. “Any further vote on this matter will not harm the traffic light coalition or Olaf Scholz, but only the invaded Ukraine and its fight for freedom,” said Kühnert Stern. Thursday’s vote was the third this year requested by the Union. “I appeal to the CDU and CSU: finally respect the decision made by the Chancellor and confirmed twice by the German Bundestag not to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine,” said Kühnert.
According to Kühnert, Ukraine particularly needs ammunition and “smart diplomatic initiatives” that increased the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Ukraine does not need partners who are engaged in agonizing domestic political disputes with themselves.”
In the traffic light coalition’s dispute over possible deliveries of the Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine, deputy FDP chairman Wolfgang Kubicki has accused SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich of unconstitutional behavior. Mützenich had demanded consequences with regard to coalition members who voted for the Taurus delivery in the Bundestag, contrary to the government line. Kubicki was outraged by this. “Anyone, like Mr. Mützenich, who demands consequences for voting behavior he dislikes is at war with our constitution,” said the Bundestag Vice President Editorial Network Germany.