German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is expected to ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence on December 16, paving the way for new elections. February 23 is being discussed as the target election day. The next chancellor has already been determined for FDP leader Christian Lindner, whose resignation meant the end of the traffic light coalition.
“I think the race for chancellorship is basically over,” said the former German finance minister at the economic summit of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”: CDU leader Friedrich Merz will almost certainly become the next chancellor. “But the question is: with whom will Chancellor Merz govern? Black-red, black-green? They are all traffic lights.” The CDU is a political chameleon, Lindner said. “It always takes the color of its coalition partners.”
Lindner reiterated his statement that the FDP, which currently polls between three and five percent, is aiming for a double-digit result in the new elections for the German Bundestag on February 23: “Our goal is the ten percent position.” The FDP’s goal is to reach double figures for the third time in a row.
CDU boss does not rule out Lindner’s comeback
If both predictions come true, the 45-year-old liberal could make a comeback as minister. CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz does not rule out Lindner returning to the Ministry of Finance during his chancellorship. “That is realistic if the FDP is so strong that it becomes a government faction again. But that is solely in the hands of the FDP and not us,” Merz explained a few days ago.
From the point of view of the SPD and the Greens, the agreement on the dates now paves the way for negotiations on ongoing legislative procedures. However, the Union is slowing down. Party leader Merz emphasized that only a few decisions needed to be made quickly. This includes transferring the model for the 2024 supplementary budget back to the Budget Committee. Otherwise, there is still the opportunity for resolutions the week after December 16th. “Why should we now help the traffic light, the remaining traffic light, to get a majority?” said CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann about the ZDF. The compensation for the cold progression in income tax or the increase in child benefit could also be decided retroactively at a later date.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
