The traffic light coalition is struggling to find the right migration policy. A conversation with Finance Minister Christian Lindner about benefits in kind instead of money, discord in the coalition and the question of whether he fears competition from the Free Voters.
The future is already framed in Christian Lindner’s office. A photo shows a boat called “Futura”, Lindner can see the picture clearly when he sits at his conference table. And in the future, Lindner wants the German state not to accumulate more and more debt – but to save money. Some in the traffic light coalition see it differently, but Linder is sticking to his course and wants to implement it. How does this fit into a time characterized by crises? An interview in Berlin.
t-online: Mr. Lindner, when was the last time you met a citizen who told you: “You did a good job”?
Christian Lindner: Yesterday in Marburg.
What were you praised for?
That I will defend the debt brake against all odds. That was the reaction to left-wing groups in Marburg demonstrating against my alleged austerity dictates. I am convinced that we cannot, in the long term, distribute more than people earn. The interest rates would crush us. We are still investing in rail, road and digital at record levels. This is possible because we set priorities. Conversely, some other projects have to wait.
Many see the dispute above all: The traffic light coalition has been arguing about various topics since taking office: Corona, fuel discounts, basic child security, heating law, spouse splitting. Where does it come from?
For example, because something is requested that has not been agreed upon. The Greens always come up with a new trick on how to incur more debt. The SPD is promoting an industrial electricity price for corporations that families and medium-sized businesses should pay. I could demand the complete abolition of the solidarity surcharge any day. That would be right so that our economy becomes more competitive. But I know that this is unrealistic with the SPD and the Greens. That is why the FDP is going into the next federal election with this demand. One must never forget that the three parties in the coalition are different. It wasn’t what brought us together that we had in common, but rather – if you will – the CSU.
As is well known, Markus Söder quit Armin Laschet after the federal election – so the Jamaica option was off the table. Now we work every day to overcome different perspectives and move the country forward.
Dissatisfaction with the government is at a record high. According to the German trend, 79 percent of citizens are little or not at all satisfied. Does that worry you?
I wish the numbers were better, but they are explainable. It is a coalition that straddles the middle of the party spectrum. The left-wing part of the electorate wants more red-green, which is not happening because of the FDP. The centrist voters, in turn, are offended by some of the compromises that the FDP has to make. However, in Germany there is currently no parliamentary majority for just one direction.
In your opinion, are the Greens or the SPD more the problem?
Neither nor. I don’t blame anyone who fights for their political beliefs.
You once crashed the Jamaica negotiations with the sentence “It’s better not to govern than to govern incorrectly.” Does this sentence still apply?
And can you say it again?
Also yes. I wouldn’t be afraid. But I have to be clear: the coalition’s results are good for the country, and the compromises we are making are responsible. Many of our country’s structural problems arose or were only managed during the CDU’s time in government. Now we in the coalition negotiate conflicts partly on behalf of society as a whole.
