Saskia Esken
SPD leader sees no danger for the traffic lights in the FDP survey
SPD leader Saskia Esken sees no threat to the continued existence of the traffic light in the FDP member survey. photo
© Moritz Frankenberg/dpa
The FDP members are currently voting on their stance on the traffic lights. SPD leader Esken looks forward to the results calmly. After the traffic light disputes of the past few weeks, she has one wish.
Appeal for responsibility on the part of FDP members
Esken emphasized that the FDP members were only asked about their mood towards the coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP. “I would like the majority of them to be aware of their responsibility for the country,” she added. The vote in the survey, which runs until January 1st, is not binding for the party and parliamentary group leadership in the Bundestag.
Trust in Linder’s leadership team
598 FDP members submitted the application for a member survey after the FDP’s disastrous election results in Hesse and Bavaria. The result is considered to be an indication of the mood and can fuel the discussion within the party, but without having any immediate consequences. The federal statutes state: “The party’s organs are not bound in their decision-making to the results of the member survey.”
Esken counters speculation about traffic lights being turned off
Because of the disagreements between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP on budget policy and other issues, there is increasing speculation that there could be an early election to the Bundestag or a change in coalition. Esken countered such speculations. “This country deserves a government that acts responsibly for the people. And we want to continue to do that.”
Coalition should “really take off” in the new year
The traffic light wants to “grab and shape the changes we are in the midst of and thereby strengthen economic prosperity and cohesion in the country,” said the SPD chairwoman. This spirit has been lost to some extent due to the current crises, but also due to arguments at traffic lights. “And I really hope that all coalition partners will now use the Christmas break to recharge their batteries,” emphasized Esken. “But then we really have to get going and make it clear that we are taking responsibility for the country together.”
Traffic lights are still conceivable as a long-term project
Esken can still imagine working with the FDP and the Greens beyond this legislative period. “It would still be desirable if we could work together in the long term,” she said. “This traffic light makes it possible – on behalf of society – for different positions to be brought together and for us to develop measures together for a better future.”
But no traffic light election campaign in 2025
Esken still doesn’t want to campaign for the traffic light before the 2025 federal election. “We are campaigning for the SPD and for a good SPD result. We have never campaigned for a coalition, so we won’t change anything.”