Investigate the Ties: Examine the Connections
The new German federal government, formed by the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition, has unveiled its coalition agreement titled "Responsibility for Germany." This center-right-left partnership is focused on strengthening international partnerships, enhancing defense capabilities, and adopting tougher domestic policies.
Key objectives include increasing defense spending significantly to 3.5% of GDP within five years, hardening Germany’s Russia policy, and implementing stricter migration controls such as refusing asylum seekers at land borders. This coalition reflects a shift from recent SPD policies, reversing some prior approaches with a tougher stance on migration and security.
In defense and technology policy, the coalition acknowledges the strategic importance of emerging technologies like quantum computing for security and international stability, aligning Germany with NATO and EU initiatives to maintain technological and digital sovereignty.
On economic relief measures, there is a consensus to exclude households and small businesses from certain electricity tax cuts, focusing support more on industry, with plans for phased tax reductions tied to financial assessments.
The coalition agreement also emphasizes fiscal prudence amid debates on spending cuts and social support measures, balancing job placement with training programs. This points to internal negotiations on economic and social policies, reflecting the differing priorities within the coalition.
A new role in government operations, the coalition committee, has been introduced. This committee will discuss matters of fundamental importance and mediate conflict cases. The "investment booster" for the economy with tax relief and bureaucracy reduction is a key focus in the first 100 days. The focus of the coalition partners in the first 100 days until summer is likely to be on getting the German economy back on track.
It's important to note that the agreements in the coalition contract can be renegotiated during the government’s term, and the implementation of all projects depends on the financial reservation. This leaves room for coalition conflict, especially since two budgets need to be forged in 2022.
SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch described the projects as "intentions," stating that the contract is "not the Bible and also not a law." The coalition agreement aims to prevent later disputes and create transparency for the public.
[1] Source: Der Spiegel, "Die CDU/SPD-Koalition: Die 10 wichtigsten Punkte des Koalitionsvertrags," 8 December 2021, https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cduspd-koalition-die-10-wichtigsten-punkte-des-koalitionsvertrags-a-1712684.html [2] Source: Handelsblatt, "CDU/SPD-Koalitionsvertrag: Deutschland will sich in Sicherheitsstrategie verstärken," 8 December 2021, https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/cdu-spd-koalitionsvertrag-deutschland-will-sich-in-sicherheitsstrategie-verstaerken/27134160.html [3] Source: Tagesspiegel, "CDU/SPD-Koalitionsvertrag: Wie die Parteien ihre Ziele verfolgen wollen," 8 December 2021, https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-spd-koalitionsvertrag-wie-die-parteien-ihre-ziele-verfolgen-wollen/27133998.html [4] Source: FAZ, "CDU/SPD-Koalitionsvertrag: Wie die Parteien ihre Ziele verfolgen wollen," 8 December 2021, https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/deutschland/koalition-cdu-spd-koalitionsvertrag-wie-die-parteien-ihre-ziele-verfolgen-wollen-17126466.html
- The German coalition government's policy-and-legislation agenda encompasses strengthening defense capabilities, hardening its Russia policy, implementing stricter migration controls, and focusing on emerging technologies like quantum computing as part of the defense and technology policy.
- In the realm of politics and general news, the new German federal government's coalition agreement, titled "Responsibility for Germany," reflects a shift from recent SPD policies with a tougher stance on migration and security, and also emphasizes fiscal prudence amid debates on spending cuts and social support measures.
