In the general debate, Chancellor Scholz called for a “national effort” to modernize the country and get it back on track economically. Opposition leader Merz accused the traffic light of building a “paternalist state”.
In the general debate in the Bundestag, Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the opposition’s criticism of the coalition’s work with a proposal for a new direction: In his speech, the SPD politician invited the federal states, local authorities and the democratic opposition to a “Germany pact”. to modernize the country.
The pact should make Germany faster, more modern and safer, said Scholz. “Too much has been put off in recent years,” criticized Scholz. “The citizens are tired of this standstill. And so am I,” he emphasized. “We need a national effort. So let’s join forces.” The citizens wanted orientation and no “shadow boxing” and arguing government parties, said Scholz.
acceleration from approval process
His offer is aimed at the 16 heads of government of the federal states, at the district administrators, mayors throughout the republic. But it is also aimed at Friedrich Merz, the leader of the largest opposition party, as Scholz emphasized.
In order to speed up the approval process, the federal and state governments should develop a comprehensive package of measures and launch them before the end of this year. Energy supply should be “clean, safe and affordable”. In addition, the Chancellor would like to digitize the planning and approval process and simplify housing construction.
digitalization advance
The Online Access Act should also promote nationwide digitization. By the end of 2024, many services should be available digitally. This included re-registering your place of residence, digitally applying for housing benefit, driver’s license, ID card, parental benefit and citizen’s benefit.
In the coming year, the federal government will invest 58 billion euros from the climate and transformation fund in the semiconductor industry, climate-friendly mobility and digital infrastructure, among other things, said Scholz. In addition, there would be 54 billion euros for rails, new bridges, fast internet, charging stations and social housing. Deutsche Bahn alone will have 24 billion euros in additional investment scope over the next four years. “This is the largest investment program in such a short time since the steam locomotive,” declared the Chancellor.
In addition, more than 32 billion euros are earmarked for the “Growth Opportunities Act”. In their position paper, the traffic light parties demand that it must become easier to found start-ups and make them successful. The framework conditions for start-ups and companies should be improved by the “Future Financing Act”.
Merz: Ampel is building it “paternalistic” state off
Opposition leader Merz had previously accused the chancellor of wanting to expand a patronizing, all-regulating and paternalistic state with basic child security and citizen income.
The basic child security is “exactly what you want to achieve: air sovereignty over the children’s beds, over the families, over this society, so that you can shape it according to your own ideas”. Turning to the Chancellor, Merz said that the Union was not only arguing about details of the budget, but also fundamentally contradicted the understanding of the state of traffic lights.
The so-called citizen money would be designed by the Union in such a way that work is more worthwhile than receiving state transfer payments, emphasized Merz. People did not go back into employment because they could calculate that they would get more out of government transfers than if they had to work in a simple job and pay social security contributions and taxes.
Union for Abolition of Solis
If the traffic light followed the Union’s proposals, there would quickly be scope for major tax reform, promised Merz. Then you could finally abolish the solidarity contribution, which would help medium-sized companies in particular quickly and effectively.
Merz also criticized excessive bureaucracy, the Building Energy Act and demanded openness to technology in the building and transport sector. It is no surprise that the traffic light with its ban policy has missed the climate targets for the second year in a row. The majority of the people in the country no longer support the climate policy of the government because they are tired of being confronted only with bans, regulations, incalculable costs and bureaucratic requirements.
The traffic light underestimates the effects of the Ukraine war, according to Merz. By 2027 at the latest, there will be a gap of at least 30 billion euros in the defense budget, which the government currently has no idea how to fill.
AfD calls for new elections
In his speech, AfD leader Tino Chrupalla sharply criticized the traffic light coalition and called for new elections. “The time for the traffic light has expired,” said Chrupalla. He accused the coalition of a “negligent and misguided migration policy” and especially the Greens in the traffic light, an anti-business policy.
Addressing Chancellor Scholz, he said: “Please open both eyes again, if you can, and see how the German economy is reacting, how it’s slipping, and finally take care of the backbone of this country, the German economy. “
Left against austerity
Criticism of the coalition’s policies also comes from the left. “We must not save now, we need large investment packages,” said Amira Mohamed Ali, leader of the Left Party.
Many people are rightly angry that billions of euros should be cut out of the budget for armaments and that everywhere else people are skimping and saving. The planned basic child security is insufficient and a “false labeling”.