BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphatically called on the SPD to show greater willingness for understanding in the black-red coalition and is insisting on the implementation of the Union’s concerns. “I expect the SPD to show the same willingness to compromise as we show,” said the CDU leader on the ARD program “Caren Miosga”. He added that he had been very patient in dealing with the SPD so far. “However, the SPD must also know that compromises are not a one-way street. We both have to make them.”
Merz made it clear that he expected to come to common solutions “which we would then pass through parliament.” The reform initiated by the cabinet to relieve the burden on statutory health insurance companies should be passed in the Bundestag before the summer break. The basic principles of a pension reform should be decided on in the first half of the year.
“I have no authority to kill the CDU”
The Chancellor pointed to growing dissatisfaction in the Union about compromises that are being made with one another. He got a very good result when he was re-elected as chairman at the party conference. “But I have no authority to kill the CDU. The party didn’t allow me to do that. And I don’t intend to do that either. The Union has to be included in this coalition. And we also have to get things done that bear our signature.” He shares assessments that this has not yet been achieved well enough.
Merz emphasized: “I’m not looking for a different majority. But that shouldn’t lead the SPD to think that they can do whatever they want with us, so to speak. This is still a coalition with a larger partner and a smaller partner.” You have to make compromises. “I have confidence that we can still do this.” He also says to some who are close to the Union: “Forget the hope that there is something with a minority government and tolerance from the AfD. That is out of the question for me.”
Don’t “torment” for compromises
At the same time, the Chancellor explained that he was telling the two SPD party leaders: “Don’t underestimate the mood in the Union. It is becoming less friendly. And if we now want to get out of this bad mood together, then we have to go to work together happily and we have to represent what we do together.” Merz warned: “If we torture ourselves towards compromises and then explain to the public with a pained face that nothing more was possible, you can’t expect the public to follow us and happily agree.”/sam/DP/he
