Traffic light coalition: in the end, action must follow


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Status: 11/24/2021 7:17 p.m.

The traffic light has presented an ambitious program. She wants to make politics of great impact. But there is not much concrete to be found, says Sabine Henkel. Nevertheless, they deserve a chance.

A comment by Sabine Henkel, ARD capital studio

New times are dawning. Visible. Christian Lindner and Saskia Esken actually stood on the stage and presented a joint coalition agreement. Yes, the Christian Lindner, the top liberal business friend in the country and the Saskia Esken, who is even too left-wing for some Social Democrats. Believe it or not, it is true. From now on, it is better to rule than not to rule. And what’s more: the SPD, Greens and FDP want to do it on an equal footing, as they say themselves. It even looks like it could work. Respect and trust can be felt. If that is not a good basis. And that’s what it takes.

The traffic light finally takes over government affairs in an absolute emergency. The coronavirus has the country firmly under control, those willing and not willing to vaccinate are almost irreconcilable, the mood is heating up more and more. A functioning government is urgently needed; one that does not revolve around itself, as we have already seen in the past, but one that tackles, rules and takes care of problems. This government makes a premium right away: One billion for nurses as a corona bonus, a permanent crisis team that collects technical expertise on a daily basis. Well, that’s how it should be.

At first only announcements

And yet these are only announcements at first – just like the whole coalition agreement. In the end, the traffic lights are measured by their actions. Not least in terms of climate protection. Coal should end in 2030, the country will be supplied with energy from wind and sun, public transport expanded and the railways, attention: become competitive. The future belongs to electric cars with a reliable infrastructure. It is a climate protection program without bans, instead goals are formulated. That is well done. The Greens will no longer have to be accused of being a ban party, the FDP can live with it very well and the SPD seems to care a lot anyway – the main thing is the Chancellery and the minimum wage.

Higher, faster, further, better

Dare to make more progress – so that’s what the contract says. The traffic light has raised the bar and presented an ambitious program that aims to make politics more effective and to overcome the congestion quo. Higher, faster, further, better.

There is hardly a page in the treaty that is missing terms such as modernization, transformation or progress. They want to instill courage and confidence and develop a new political culture. Learn from the others, change perspectives if things can’t go on – sometimes see a 9 in a 6. An almost philosophical start. It’s a shame that there isn’t a lot of specific information to be found in the small print: ideas, patterns, plans. It’s just a set of traffic lights – three parties who don’t belong together, but who want to try together. They deserve a chance.

Editor’s note

Comments generally reflect the opinion of the respective author and not that of the editors.

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