(updated version)
Berlin (dpa-Afx)-For Friedrich Merz, the Schwarz-Rot operation is actually difficult enough. The CDU leader and winner of the Bundestag election wants to agree with the SPD as quickly as possible through a new government. But the escalation between the USA and Ukraine is still bursting into the start -up phase and continues to increase the pressure on the negotiations. Right at the beginning of the new week, the explorations should continue. There are also steps to mobilize fresh billions for defense at short notice.
The shock waves after US President Donald Trump had accused the Ukrainian head of state Wolodymyr Selenskyj in the White House with allegations, of course also the explorators in Berlin. There should be no kind of carnival break on Rosenmontag and Mardi Gras. After the start on Friday, according to information from the “Welt” and the German Press Agency, the next round will follow this Monday.
Söder: Do everything for the early government
After the scandal in Washington, CSU boss Markus Söder confirmed the goal of getting an understanding. “We will do everything we can to have a new and stable federal government,” he wrote on the X. Union and SPD platform in a new community of responsibility. “Everyone will have to jump over their shadow, but in the end a new strength for our country and all of Europe can grow from it. Perhaps this is the wake -up call that we all need to grow beyond us in Germany.”
Far up on the agenda stands for bringing significantly more money together for security and defense – for the Bundeswehrbut also for more independence in Europe regardless of the USA and possibly even greater support from Ukraine. “Germany and Europe have to upgrade: militarily, economical and technological,” said Söder.
Green advertising for reform of the debt brake
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also called for quick action from the Greens, who are not involved in the formation of government – but could nevertheless come into play with short -term non -partisan solutions. “We cannot wait until the formation of a new federal government, because the situation is serious,” warned Baerbock on Saturday. In the weeks of the transition, all democratic parties and a “closest vote” between the incumbent and future federal government are now in demand.
In conversation, a new and greater debt-financed special fund based on the model of the 100 billion pot for the Bundeswehr is shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Baerbock called this the worse variant. “It does not help Ukraine and we cannot use it for all areas that are important for our defense.” This affects measures against threats in the cyber space. Baerbock promoted to talk about a fundamental reform of the debt brake.
Age or new Bundestag?
Shortly after the election, Merz had already made it clear that he rejected such a large reform before the new Bundestag came together. It is possible to clarify whether the old parliament should be activated again, which until then continues with all skills. In the new Bundestag, the Union, the SPD and the Greens no longer have a two-thirds majority, which would be necessary for possible changes to the Basic Law.
The SPD foreign politician Michael Roth warned pace in the coalition formation. “We cannot wait until May a government,” he told the Editorial Network Germany. More money is quickly necessary for defense and security. “As an intermediate step, Germany has to set up a special fund without long. The fact that it has to be talked about afterwards about the debt brake is clear to everyone in view of the dramatic situation.”
Narrower votes
In addition to money issues, the Trump shock also has other episodes – including for closer coordination in the transition period. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Merz called together on Friday evening after the scandal, as the dpa was confirmed in Berlin. First, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported about it. After a Ukraine conference in London, Scholz will travel to an EU special summit this Thursday on Sunday.
Union faction vice Johann WadePhul (CDU) told the “Tagesspiegel” that Merz was in contact with Chancellor Scholz and he with his security advisor Jens Plötner, “to coordinate the lines at their meetings in London and Brussels”. WadePhul promised that Merz will also meet Trump as quickly as possible and then “hopefully already have higher defense spending in his luggage”. Trump’s ex-security consultant John Bolton recommended Merz to seek contact with the US President before his possible election as a chancellor. “Waiting until the end of April would be wrong,” he told Germany.
“Fast a strong government”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a rapid coalition formation after the scandal. The scene in the White House let him breathe. “I would never have believed that we would have to protect Ukraine from the USA,” he told the German Press Agency. “We have to prevent Ukraine from accepting a submission. That is why our country now needs a strong government.”/Sam/dp/he