Honest Talk with Sandra: Franz Müntefering Questions Merz's Chancellorship
Distrustful Müntefering, ex-leader of SPD, expresses skepticism towards Merz
Getting a chat with Franz Müntefering ain't no walk in the park. The 85-year-old ex-SPD chairman, who prefers old-school typewriters to emails, is a tough nut to crack. Tonight, he appeared on Sandra Maischberger's show, where he didn't hold back his opinion regarding the possible next chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
Müntefering's not fond of the digital world, so he left the coalition agreement voting to his wife. He read some pages, he explains, but his interest spanned only as far as what he could stomach.
Merz: A Learning Opportunity?
Müntefering's known Merz since he was 37, but they never hit it off like old pals. Müntefering, who served as vice-chancellor under Angela Merkel, and Merz, who aims to seize the federal chancellor title on Tuesday, haven't exactly shared friendship-filled coffee breaks.
Muentefering remained cool throughout the interview, but his guard rose when talking about Merz. He points out that former Chancellor Kohl never included Merz in his cabinet, and Merkel followed suit.
Is Merz capable of being a solid chancellor? Müntefering isn't fully convinced but he's hopeful: Merz is teachable. Müntefering believes Merz is a democrat, but his words can sometimes be light, and he tends to overstep boundaries where others might hesitate. Müntefering acknowledges Merz has gathered a sharp team around him, and they might just pull it off.
The AfD Issue
Müntefering didn't appreciate Merz utilizing the AfD's votes for legislative proposals before the federal election. Müntefering insists the two coalition parties must now grapple with this problem. Müntefering confirms the democratic parties have the strength to hold the AfD at bay, but they need to approach it methodically. If the AfD is interested in political dialogue, it's possible to engage MPs, but he warns tough action is necessary when the AfD displays their disruptive, hate-mongering behavior.
Müntefering's Party Comments
While he doesn't come out and say it, Müntefering seems to harbor some doubts about certain members of his party's leadership. He calls the leader by his first name, Lars Klingbeil, but doesn't yet recognize Olaf Scholz as chancellor. His displeasure with Scholz's renewed candidacy is written all over his face.
Regarding SPD co-chair Saskia Esken, he simply refers to her as "the Esken." Müntefering leaves open the possibility of Esken continuing at the party's top, but doubts whether having dual leadership is necessary. Müntefering implies the SPD should reconsider, but Klingbeil and Esken weren't to blame for the party's mediocre federal election performance. "That was on Scholz, not Lars and Esken," he says.
Time for Action
Müntefering stresses the importance of two democratic parties forming a government. The election outcomes have made this a possibility. "This is a win they've wrestled from the entire situation, and now they must chart a course forward," Müntefering says. He believes they've already discusses numerous issues in the coalition agreement, but the Bundestag has a busy four years ahead.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment as the conversation surrounding Friedrich Merz's potential chancellorship continues.
- Despite not having formed a close bond, Münchenbergers, who served as vice-chancellor under Angela Merkel, still think Merz is teachable, yet hesitant about his ability to be a solid chancellor.
- In terms of general news and politics, Maischberger's show featured Münchenbergers expressing distrusts towards Merz's chancellorship, pointing out that former Chancellor Kohl never included him in his cabinet, and Merkel followed suit.
- As for SPD co-chair Saskia Esken, Münchenbergers leaves open the possibility of her continuing at the party's top, but implies the SPD should reconsider whether having dual leadership is necessary.
