“You can’t beat the absurdity of it” – Ampel criticizes Merz’s letter
Union faction leader Friedrich Merz
Source: dpa/Kay Nietfeld
Traffic light politicians accuse CDU leader Friedrich Merz of window dressing after his letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The FDP criticizes the fact that there are no proposals for financing. The Greens point out that many demands have “long been addressed”.
DThe Union leadership’s twelve-point plan to stimulate the economy has caused criticism and astonishment in the traffic light coalition. The letter was written by Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) and CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt. Green party deputy Andreas Audretsch told the ARD capital studio: “What Merz is doing now cannot be surpassed in terms of absurdity.” While the Union is blocking the Growth Opportunities Act, the CDU leader is demanding growth impulses from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
Merz and Dobrindt wrote a letter directly to the Chancellor. “We appeal to you and the entire federal government to take effective measures in the first quarter of the current year so that the German economy can quickly emerge from the recession,” the letter says. Germany is threatened with “losses in wealth on a scale never seen before.”
FDP: At the Union, “speaking and acting often don’t go together”
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr told the Funke newspapers: “Without a doubt, Germany needs more economic dynamism. That’s why it’s very strange to me that the Union is blocking the Growth Opportunities Act and thus relief for companies in this country.” This shows that “unfortunately, speech and action often don’t go together at the Union.”
The FDP budget politician Frank Schäffler also doubted that Merz’s initiative would actually help strengthen the economy. In view of the proposals, some of which correspond to those of the FDP, he praised the fact that “the Union has finally woken up from hibernation”. “But it is also clear that Friedrich Merz will never be able to implement this with the Greens,” said Schäffler “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. Schäffler also complained that the Union was silent about financing the measures.
Greens: “Much of what Merz is demanding has long been addressed”
SPD parliamentary group deputy Verena Hubertz said “Rhineland Post”: “Of course we look at the proposals carefully and include them in our considerations.” For the traffic light coalition it is clear: “Strengthening our economy is currently the focus of our actions.” The Growth Opportunities Act is a central component of this. If the CDU/CSU came up with constructive suggestions instead of blockades, “we fundamentally welcome that.”
The economic policy spokeswoman for the Green parliamentary group, Sandra Detzer, accused the CDU chairman of missing the point. “Many of the things that Friedrich Merz is calling for have long since been addressed, for example we have reduced the electricity tax. With the ramp-up of renewables for affordable energy and the Skilled Immigration Act to combat the shortage of skilled workers, we have set the course. The practical checks for reducing bureaucracy are having an impact.”
Detzer joined the criticism that Merz was blocking the government’s economic development projects. “If the Union is serious about its concerns, it should support Federal Minister Habeck’s proposals for a special fund to strengthen competitiveness. And give up the blockade against the Growth Opportunities Act, which provides important incentives for investments.”