The FDP is calling for cuts to pensions and citizens’ benefits. The Greens and SPD react annoyed.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock considers the FDP proposals for stricter rules for citizens’ benefits and the end of pensions at 63 to be problematic given the current world situation. “We see that this turbulent world situation is a major challenge, especially for democracies, because autocracies are specifically using the current, volatile situation to destabilize democracies,” said the Green politician on Monday when asked what she thought of it The FDP leaders believe the concept is for an economic turnaround.
“That’s why, especially in moments like this, especially before the European elections, unity is needed between (…) all democratic actors in our societies.” Baerbock did not comment on the content of the suggestions. Read more about the FDP’s demands here.
Nouripour: “Not particularly new”
The Green party leader Omid Nouripour reacted calmly to the Liberals’ advance: “We are working on the solutions that we agree on and are trying to move the country forward,” said Nouripour on Monday in Berlin. “The fact that we have different views, that different decisions are made at party congresses of different parties, is nothing particularly new.”
According to the Green Party leader, the coalition’s work will not be stopped because there are party conference resolutions. “If that were the case, we could stop working. Let’s not do that, we’ll just concentrate on implementing what we agree on.” The coalition agreement applies. The coalition has achieved a lot together and there is still a lot to do.
The Green MP in the Bundestag, Beate Müller-Gemmeke, was more critical: “The FDP is conducting an absolutely sham debate,” she told the magazine “Stern”, “because just one percent of the unemployed reject job offers.” The Liberals should take care of the “other 99 percent” instead of making a name for themselves at the expense of a minority, the MP continued. “This FDP no longer has any compass at all and ignores the facts about citizens’ money. That is completely cynical.” Such a “cold policy” cannot be pursued with the Greens.
Barley: “Anti-Social Paper”
The FDP’s demands for cuts in the social sector have also met with massive criticism from the SPD. The Social Democrats’ top candidate for the European elections, Katarina Barley, spoke in Berlin on Monday of an “anti-social paper”. However, she advised calmness regarding the FDP’s demands. Only the coalition agreement is binding for the Social Democrats in the federal government, “and it stays that way.”
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Barley pointed out that the FDP had recently attracted attention at the European level, especially through blockade actions. She referred to several projects that had been negotiated for a long time and where “the brakes were then put on at the last second”. She takes note of this and “you can do it that way, but it’s not good for Germany.”
Canceling the pension at 63 is “out of the question”
Specifically, Barley also opposed the FDP’s call for a move away from zero-deduction pensions for those who have been insured for a very long time. This is about “high achievers” and precisely “the people for whom we make politics”. Starting there is “out of the question in my opinion,” said the SPD European politician.
Barley emphasized that for her party it is about a strong Europe and about bringing social, economic and climate protection into harmony and moving them forward together. The SPD is the political force “that sees economics and social issues in conjunction and not as opposites.”
“Should we negotiate a pause with the climate?”
The leading candidate of the European Social Democrats, the Luxembourger Nicolas Schmit, who took part in the deliberations of the SPD’s top committees together with Barley, also advocated bringing business and social issues together. This also applies to climate policy, “which is part of good social policy,” said Schmit in Berlin.
Schmit emphatically opposed calls from conservatives and liberals to take a break from climate protection because of the tense economic and budget situation. Good climate policy is also good industrial policy, he emphasized. In addition, the climate catastrophe is getting closer and closer. “Should we negotiate a break with the climate?” asked Schmit ironically.
