Far-reaching reforms advocate Merz seeks public backing
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has taken center stage, advocating for profound reforms in Germany. Addressing the Bundestag, Merz emphasized the urgency of these changes, stating that the country needs to feel improvement.
Merz criticized the separation of domestic and foreign policy, arguing that it is outdated. He called for a new consensus on what justice means and a rethinking of the intergenerational contract. The reforms, he said, would address fundamental aspects of how Germans live, work, and coexist.
The reform plans are primarily supported by the parties in the current federal government coalition: the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and the FDP. Other parties' readiness to support these reforms varies. For instance, the FDP excludes a renewed coalition with the Greens, while CDU/CSU shows openness for coalitions with SPD and FDP but generally opposes some green policies.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch has called for increased taxes on the wealthy as part of the reforms. In contrast, Heidi Reichinnek, leader of the Left parliamentary group, warned against drastic cuts in social benefits.
The opposition AfD faction leader, Weidel, sharply criticized the migration policy of the black-red federal government and renewed demands for border control, nuclear power, and cuts in climate protection spending. However, during the debate, no exchange of blows occurred between Merz and Weidel, unlike in the July general debate where they engaged in a heated argument.
The Chancellor did not respond to attacks from the AfD party leader during the debate. Merz did, however, address the issue of Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of testing boundaries, engaging in sabotage, spying, killing, and causing uncertainty. He also warned of possible consequences of a peace dictated by Russia in Ukraine.
Dröge, the Green faction leader, sharply criticized the black-red economic policy and Merz's handling of trade deals with the US. She accused the CDU of clinging to outdated technologies and lacking the courage for the future.
In his speech, Merz also advocated for establishing a 'new consensus' on what justice means and rethinking the intergenerational contract. He asked for the support of citizens and the federal government for the planned reforms.
Weidel accused Merz of 'warmongering,' but Merz did not respond to any of Weidel's accusations. The debate continues as Germany navigates its path towards reform.
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