The finance minister offers an interesting version of the coalition’s breakdown. There was a dispute over Ukraine policy.
07.11.2024 – Translated from German via Google and OFP
The day after the traffic light coalition broke down, FDP party leader Christian Lindner accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) of having prevented effective military support for Ukraine. Lindner said in Berlin on Thursday that the FDP had “never hesitated” when it came to helping Ukraine.
However, Scholz demanded that three billion euros be transferred to Ukraine. He, Lindner, pointed to the difficult financial situation and instead proposed giving Ukraine what it most urgently needed to effectively defend itself against Russia – namely Taurus cruise missiles. Chancellor Olaf Scholz categorically rejected this and instead informed him of his dismissal. The FDP and CDU agree on the issue of the Taurus delivery, CDU leader Friedrich Merz recently demanded that Russia be given a 24-hour ultimatum : if attacks on civilian or infrastructure targets are not stopped within this time, Germany should equip Ukraine with the cruise missiles. These can be used to attack targets on Russian territory.
Lindner said: “With regard to Ukraine, by the way – a topic that has been discussed publicly – we have wrestled intensively with one another. For the Free Democrats, supporting Ukraine was never in question. Others have always hesitated. The Free Democrats never. We also discussed this issue yesterday in the coalition committee. It was a joint effort by the federal government at international level to mobilise 50 billion dollars to support Ukraine. This was praised by everyone. Incidentally, this plan was also intended to provide security in the event of a policy change in the United States of America. Yesterday, the still-serving Federal Chancellor put forward a proposal to make a further three billion euros available for Ukraine. But three billion euros would not make the difference, given the volume of funds available. I said on behalf of the Free Democrats in the coalition committee: If we want different, stronger support for Ukraine, then three billion euros extra is not necessary. Then Germany should make the decision to equip Ukraine with the weapons systems that Ukrainians need to defend their freedom, in particular the Taurus weapons system. There was no willingness to do this.”
Lindner called on Scholz to immediately provide political clarity. “Our country needs a government that not only holds office, but can act. The right thing for our country would be an immediate vote of confidence and new elections. In a democracy, no one can be afraid of the voters,” said the former Federal Finance Minister at the party headquarters in Berlin.
The Federal Chancellery must not “become an election campaign headquarters,” Lindner demanded. He said: “Rapid new elections after the failed Scholz government are not only important for democracy. Our country cannot afford to lose any time.”
The traffic light coalition of the Liberals with the SPD and the Greens had collapsed the previous evening. After Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) dismissed Lindner, Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (both FDP) also submitted their resignations. In contrast, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing is leaving the FDP and will remain in office until the planned new election.
This is important. Remember this moment in Germany’s history. For all practical purposes, this government has collapsed because of Ukraine. To be more exact, because there’s a deep chasm between what the chancellor wants, regarding Taurus, and what the FDP and most of the Greens want. Both of the latter have been strong supporters of Ukraine.
Make no mistake, so was Scholz. However, Scholz’s preposterous refusal to give Ukraine THE weapon it needs out of fear is on par with why the West is not moving forward with this war and with other national and global problems.
Scholz is not a strong leader. Period. Germany has a multitude of problems that seem to be getting worse. Ukraine is also left to be bombed day and night with his stubborn, absurd policy rock-solid in place … just like with Biden. So, it’s high time that the so-called traffic light coalition ends its deplorable existence. I am confident that when early elections are held, the chancellorship will go to Friedrich Merz, who will be a stronger leader than Scholz. It will be better for Germany, for Europe, and especially for Ukraine.
Of course, Merz is from the Rhineland and not a pussy.
Even Annalena Baerbock and Agnes Strack-Zimmerman are not pussies! 😂