This information was first reported by Reuters, citing two sources. This was confirmed by a government spokesman in an interview with the DPA agency, without providing details; shortly afterwards, the Chancellor made a statement to the media.
He confirmed the removal of Christian Lindner from the government and announced that he would ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence so that the vote would take place on January 15. If the Bundestag does not grant it and decides on new elections, they could be held no later than the end of March.
Scholz on Lindner: He betrayed my trust too often
– I asked the German president to fire the finance minister – Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday (November 6, 2024) just after… 21:20. – I was forced to take this step – he added, giving as reason for the dispute regarding the completion of the budget, among others inability to reach a compromise on support for German enterprises, energy prices and aid for Ukraine.
– Too often the minister blocked solutions (…). He betrayed my trust too often, said the chancellor. He accused the Minister of Finance, Christian Linder of the FDP, of not wanting to reconcile the budget priorities: investments in the slowing economy and aid for Ukraine, which, according to Scholz, must be reconciled goals.
Olaf Scholz confirmed media information that he held talks with coalition partners today on the budget and presented it four priorities: securing affordable prices energy, support for the automotive industry, which is in crisis in Germany, investment support for companies and increased aid for Ukraine. – After the US elections, it would be an important signal that we can be relied on – he added. – The minister has not shown readiness to implement this proposal in the government (…). “I don't want to subject our country to this type of behavior any longer,” he said.
He reminded that times are uncertain and that Donald Trump won the US elections and that Germany must invest in its security and economy. – Anyone who refuses to do so is behaving irresponsibly. As chancellor, I cannot stand this – he said. – Especially now, after the US elections, such selfishness is completely incomprehensible – he added, clearly angry.
Scholz said he would “seek dialogue with the leader very quickly oppositionFriedrich Merz (head of the Christian Democrat CDU – ed.). – I would like to offer him constructive cooperation on two issues, or even more, that are crucial for our country: the rapid strengthening of our economy and our defense.
Lindner on Scholz: a calculated split
In response, Christian Lindner himself accused Scholz of deliberately causing the coalition to break up. – This carefully prepared statement from this evening proves that Olaf Scholz no longer wanted an agreement that would be feasible for everyone, but a calculated split in this coalition – said the head of the FDP in Berlin after Scholz's briefing. He added that Scholz was condemning Germany to uncertainty.
The Chancellor did not comment on media reports that Lindner was to propose earlier elections at the beginning of next year due to the crisis in the coalition.
Media: Lindner wanted earlier elections
According to the Bild newspaper, Minister Christian Lindner allegedly suggested to the coalition partners in the government that the solution to the crisis that has been ravaging the coalition since the European elections could be early elections at the beginning of the year. Scholz was to reject this proposal. Newspaper she cited sources from a crisis meeting in Scholz's office.
According to other sources (including the daily “Süddeutsche Zeitung”), from performing his functions other members of the government also resign from FDP. During the evening briefing, the Chancellor announced that important laws would be adopted by the end of the year, including: regarding lowering taxes. On January 15, Scholz intends to ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence. At the latest in March elections are to be held.
Lindner's resignation came after weeks of disputes over the government's economic policy. Linder, representing the liberal FDP, is a supporter of restrictive budget policy and tax cuts. His dispute with his coalition partners heated up on November 4, when he described his liberal proposals in a special document. The Greens and SPD rejected them.
The three coalition partners have been arguing for weeks not only about budget expenditure, but also about other issues, including: migration policy. In addition to the substantive differences between the coalition partners, the government crisis is exacerbated by political problems: the decline in the ratings of the entire coalition and the electoral successes of the far right, as well as the recent leadership crisis in the Green Party. (Reuters, DPA/Mar)
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle