SPD leader Klingbeil has… Report from Berlin The traffic light coalition’s mistakes were admitted. He expressed understanding for the farmers’ protest and said there was no need to fear a “wrathful winter”. With a view to the secret meeting with AfD representatives, he called for a social jolt.
The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil has Report from Berlin defended the work of the traffic light coalition with a view to the numerous crises in Germany, but also worldwide. “These are incredibly tough times. I think everyone is already noticing that with the start of 2024. There are big challenges that exist politically, the global political situation, what is happening nationally.”
Klingbeil admitted that the disputes within the federal government, some of which were held publicly, had contributed to the uncertainty of citizens. “It’s part of it that three different parties sometimes have different answers, but there was too much argument. The argument was too long. Compromises were also questioned too quickly. That contributed to the uncertainty and that has to end .”
As a consequence, he called on the SPD, Greens and FDP to work better together in the future. “In this respect, it is right to appeal again now to make it clear that there has to be a different culture in the government this year. Everyone should pull together to recognize the responsibility that we bear as a whole in politics, this country is now going through troubled times “The times are enormous,” said the SPD leader.
SPD wants to seek dialogue with critics
Recently there was sharp criticism of the work of the traffic light coalition – from employers, unions, associations and from the opposition. There is also widespread protest from farmers against the removal of subsidies.
Klingbeil emphasized that it is even more important to seek dialogue with critics. “I think it’s completely legitimate to fight for your own rights in a democracy. I was with the farmers yesterday myself. It was a fair, it was an open dialogue. And that has to be clarified now, like the future what agriculture can look like here in Germany.”
“I don’t see any danger of a rage winter”
However, the SPD leader also admitted that there were omissions: “I would have liked to have had a conversation there beforehand. We will now do that as a faction, including as a party.” He emphasized that the majority of people in this country are firmly anchored in the center of the country. “I don’t see any danger of an upheaval or a winter of anger or anything else. But the fact that farmers are now taking to the streets to protest the cuts, for example, is legitimate. A conversation needs to be sought and solutions will be found.”
Therefore, there will also be talks between the three parliamentary group leaders and the agricultural associations on Monday. The focus is on the question of how it can be achieved that there is a strong agriculture with prospects in Germany: “And I think that it has to be more than just the question of agricultural diesel. It’s about the market power of the discounters “For example, it’s also about the question of how much bureaucracy there is in the agricultural sector and how it can be reduced.”
Warning of division in society
The SPD leader also warned once again of a social division in Germany. It is all the more important that there is a jolt that goes through the middle of the country. And everyone says, we are not turning a blind eye. We are committed, we are getting involved and we are protecting those who are being attacked. ”
In this context, he referred to a secret meeting of right-wing extremists that became known last week, in which AfD representatives also took part. “There were also revelations this week about the AfD’s plans to throw people out of this country who have German citizenship.”
“Protect people in a protective manner”
In view of this, he expects that no one will remain silent and no one will watch, “but that those who are currently quiet will also raise their voices loudly and say, we will not allow this country to be so polarized and divided by a group, which is much, much smaller than the sensible ones in this country.”
Klingbeil emphasized that in the last few days he had had many conversations with people who have a migration history, who have a different skin color and a different last name. “These people feel very specifically threatened in this country. And that is our job, to protect all these people. The right-wing extremists have set out to divide this country. And we all have a responsibility to stop this.” , emphasized the SPD leader.