2024-11-10 22:35:00
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is moving away from his original plan of only leaving his post as head of government in the spring. “It’s no problem for me at all that I’m asking the question of trust before Christmas if everyone agrees,” said Scholz in an ARD interview on Sunday evening. After the traffic light coalition collapsed, he was asked by the conservative Union and the former coalition partner FDP to quickly facilitate new elections.
“I am not attached to my office,” said the Social Democratic politician. However, the necessary democratic steps and technical preparations for a proper new election must always be taken into account. Scholz said on the “Caren Miosga” show: “None of us, not you, not me, not anyone else, wants something to happen like in Berlin, that we have to repeat elections.”
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich had previously signaled to the opposition that he would accommodate the election date, but called for agreements on which projects would still be implemented together. “Both challenges can be tackled together and together,” he told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. As concrete examples, he cited the increase in child benefit, the securing of the Germany Ticket, relief for industry and the protection of the Constitutional Court. If such an agenda were agreed, it would be “easily possible to find a sensible date for the election,” he said.
Scholz was confident on Sunday evening that he could win the early federal election. Differences in character and temperament between him and CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz are large. When asked about the biggest difference in character, he explained: “I think I’m a little cooler when it comes to matters of state – to put it as politely as I can manage at the moment.” In addition, they both have very different political goals.
Unlike Merz, Scholz has not yet been officially nominated as his party’s candidate for chancellor. But he has no doubts that it will be put up, the 66-year-old said on the talk show. And he believes in reversing the SPD’s significant gap to the Union, which is visible in the surveys. “This is a very catchable magnitude,” said Scholz. In surveys, the Social Democrats are currently 15 to 18 percentage points behind the CDU and CSU.
In the interview, Scholz once again rejected responsibility for the end of the traffic light coalition. He did not provoke FDP leader Christian Lindner in the dispute over the budget, but rather fought to the end to preserve the coalition. “I have endured the fact that in order to compromise and cooperate, I have repeatedly, sometimes with a good face, turned a pretty nasty game. But when it’s over, then it has to be over,” he said. Scholz also defended his public settlement with Lindner after he announced his dismissal. “It was decent, clear and clear and very understandable for all citizens,” he said. He was often asked to be on the table more often. Without his efforts to compromise, the government would not have lasted as long as it did.
Although his government, which only consists of the SPD and the Greens, no longer has a majority in the Bundestag, Scholz is comparatively well in the saddle. In Germany, a Federal Chancellor can only be removed by electing a successor with an absolute majority – or the incumbent head of government himself asks for a vote of confidence and loses it. This is also the only way to get early elections. The Bundestag does not have the power to dissolve itself.
In the discussion about the path to new elections, the SPD and Green factions want a special public meeting of the election verification committee on Tuesday. The aim must be to “discuss with the Federal Returning Officer as to when, from her point of view, the new election can take place at the earliest based on her practical experience,” says a letter of application to Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD), which is available to the German Press Agency in Berlin. The meeting must take place at the requested time in order to “take into account the concerns of the proper preparation and implementation of the election in the ongoing public debate”.
On Monday, the federal and state election authorities want to discuss preparations for the early election of the Bundestag. In a letter to Scholz, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand warned of “unforeseeable risks” from shorter deadlines. According to Article 39, the Bundestag must be re-elected within 60 days of the Federal President dissolving Parliament. Brand wants to make full use of the deadline “in order to be able to take all necessary measures in a legally secure and timely manner.”
In the letter, Brand pointed out logistical challenges such as appointing election committees, recruiting and training poll workers, organizing polling stations and, finally, possible problems with obtaining paper.
The paper industry is opposing this. “Clear answer: Yes. If ordered on time, we can deliver the paper required for an early federal election,” said Alexander von Reibnitz, general manager of the Paper Industry Association, “ZDFheute.de”.
The Union also contradicted Brand. “I can therefore only advise the Federal Returning Officer not to allow anyone to exploit her,” says the First Parliamentary Managing Director of the Union faction, Thorsten Frei, to “Bild am Sonntag”.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Anna Müller on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Planned Transition and Potential Early Elections**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Müller. As we saw in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent interview, he’s open to a quicker transition from his post than previously indicated. What factors do you think led him to this decision?
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me. Scholz’s willingness to consider leaving office before spring speaks to the current political climate in Germany, particularly the fallout from the collapse of the traffic light coalition. There is significant pressure from both the conservative Union and the former coalition partner, the FDP, for an expedited electoral process. Scholz seems to recognize the need as a measure of restoring trust before the holiday season.
**Editor:** He mentioned concerns about ensuring proper democratic steps are taken to prevent any chaos, like the election issues seen in Berlin. How crucial are those steps to the legitimacy of the new elections?
**Dr. Müller:** They are absolutely essential. Ensuring that all democratic protocols are adhered to not only lends credibility to the elections but also helps safeguard against the types of errors witnessed in Berlin. Scholz’s warning underscores the importance of a well-structured election process; hasty decisions could lead to deeper political instability.
**Editor:** Scholz claims he’s confident about winning early elections despite the SPD trailing behind the CDU and CSU in the polls. What strategies could he employ to bridge this gap?
**Dr. Müller:** Scholz’s confidence may hinge on a few key factors. First, he needs to effectively articulate a compelling vision that resonates with voters, contrasting notably with Friedrich Merz of the CDU. He should also focus on unity within his party and the coalition with the Greens, promoting tangible successes in areas like child benefits and industrial relief, which can showcase the SPD’s commitment to public welfare.
**Editor:** The political landscape seems volatile, and Scholz has placed the blame for the coalition’s collapse elsewhere. How much does public perception of responsibility affect a leader’s ability to govern effectively?
**Dr. Müller:** Public perception plays a vital role in a politician’s effectiveness. If voters believe that Scholz is not responsible for the coalition’s failure, it might enhance his credibility as a leader capable of guiding the country forward. However, if the electorate sees him as indecisive or lacking in accountability, it could hinder his chances in upcoming elections. Thus, clear communication and demonstrating responsibility are crucial.
**Editor:** with a divided Bundestag, how might Scholz navigate governance? What should be his priorities moving forward?
**Dr. Müller:** Scholz’s focus should be on fostering collaboration with both the SPD factions and the Greens, maybe even reaching out to the opposition. His priorities should include tackling immediate public concerns such as economic relief measures and social spending reforms. By navigating potentially fractious relationships with a cooperative approach, he can lay the ground for a more effective governance strategy while preparing for forthcoming elections.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights into Chancellor Scholz’s political situation as we look ahead to new elections in Germany.
**Dr. Müller:** My pleasure!
