General debate in the Bundestag
Scholz and Merz deliver a violent exchange of blows
“In difficult times, our country surpasses itself”: Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Bundestag. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
In the general debate in the Bundestag on the future federal budget, Union faction leader Merz attacked the policy of the traffic light coalition. The Chancellor counters.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) exchanged sharp blows in the Bundestag about the right reactions to rising energy prices. “Anyone who talks about division endangers cohesion in this country. And that’s the wrong thing to do now,” Scholz told Merz on Wednesday in the Bundestag’s general debate on the future federal budget.
Addressing Merz, the Chancellor said: “Don’t underestimate our country. Don’t underestimate the citizens of this country.” Scholz added: “In difficult times, our country surpasses itself. We have a good tradition of joining hands when things get difficult.” The Chancellor repeatedly accused the Union of serious omissions during the reign of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
One is currently in a situation “in which the Union found most of the problems solved before they even discussed them,” said Scholz. While CDU-led ministries did not find it problematic that the gas storage facilities were empty last year, the traffic light made sure that that changed. Scholz said to Merz: “You’re just talking about the topic and the problems of this country. And that’s really a very, very big problem.” The chancellor added: “And if others solve the problems that you haven’t even recognized yet, then talk about it.”
Scholz to Union: Never the strength to “get into anything”
Scholz emphasized that decisions had been made and largely implemented. “At a pace that no CDU-led government in this country has ever been able to,” the government will manage, for example, to get the first terminals for the import of liquefied gas up and running. “It’s a community effort in Germany.” On the other hand, he accused the CDU and CSU of bearing “complete responsibility” for “that Germany made decisions to phase out coal and nuclear energy,” but never had the strength “to get into anything.” “They were incapable of bringing about the expansion of renewable energies,” shouted the chancellor.
Scholz expressed his confidence: “Because we started so early, when there was not yet such a great awareness of the problem in Germany, we are now in a position to go into this winter bravely and courageously.” The Chancellor emphasized: “We’ll probably get through this winter, despite all the tension.”
Merz repeats criticism of nuclear plans
Merz had previously sharply criticized the plan by Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) not to let the last three remaining nuclear power plants in Germany continue to operate normally next year. “Stop this madness,” shouted Merz. He warned that the decision could irrevocably damage Germany as a business location.
Habeck wants to keep two of the three remaining nuclear power plants ready for use as an emergency reserve until mid-April. In the course of the nuclear phase-out, all German nuclear power plants should have been finally shut down at the end of this year. The FDP and Union, on the other hand, are pushing for all three power plants to continue operating because of the energy crisis.
Scholz: Going it alone in Ukraine “irresponsible mistake”
Scholz defended his policy of military support for Ukraine against criticism and warned against going it alone. Germany has supported Ukraine “very effectively, also with the necessary heavy weapons,” said Scholz. “We will continue to do so. That is our obligation for as long as it is necessary,” the Chancellor continued. “We will not go it alone for Germany. That would be a serious, irresponsible mistake. And I say expressly to the Union: Anyone who advocates going it alone should not govern this country.” The opposition, but also politicians in the traffic light coalition, had repeatedly accused the SPD politician of hesitation in the past few months.
In his speech on Wednesday, Merz again accused the Chancellor of prolonging the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine with the hesitation of the traffic light government. Merz criticized this hesitancy as one reason why the war was lengthening and causing even more victims.
He sharply attacked Scholz in connection with his announcement of a 100 billion euro package to strengthen the Bundeswehr. The decisions were made together, up to and including an amendment to the Basic Law. But that ended much of the common ground between the Union and the government. For example, Scholz did not keep his own promise to make more than two percent of gross domestic product available to the Bundeswehr with immediate effect. Instead, the defense budget will be reduced by 300 million euros. “We cannot trust the promises you have made,” criticized Merz.