Skip next section What are the main campaign issues for each party?
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
What are the main campaign issues for each party?
Germany’s political parties have begun presenting their draft election manifestos. And with Europe’s largest economy struggling, they focus on income, the economy and jobs.
https://p.dw.com/p/4oH1J
Skip next section Scholz hopes to visit Trump before vote
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
Scholz hopes to visit Trump before vote
One day after losing a vote of confidence in parliament, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said he hopes to visit US President-elect after he is formally sworn in on January 20, 2025.
Germany’s dpa news agency has reported that Scholz “expressed his wish to visit him very soon after taking office” when the chancellor called Trump in early November to congratulate him on .
Though Germany will likely vote on February 23 after the collapse of its government, sources in Berlin told dpa it “cannot be ruled out” that Scholz could meet Trump in DC.
Though Trump took the unusual step of inviting Chinese President to his swearing-in there has been no word yet as to which other leaders had been asked to attend.
Neither Berlin nor Washington have given any indication that Scholz’s name was on the list of invitees.
https://p.dw.com/p/4oGz0
Skip next section Green Party announces ambitious platform
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
Green Party announces ambitious platform
have presented their 70-page policy draft to party members, including a raft of social programs aimed at helping families and addressing climate change.
These include increased rent controls, keeping for all of Germany, a minimum wage of 15 euros, and benefits for people dealing with skyrocketing energy prices.
The program is “full of measures that will make this country fairer and life more affordable,” party leader Felix Banaszak stressed at the presentation.
Foreign Minister and Green chancellor candidate also attended the event.
Habeck said that addressing climate change was the party’s “top priority.” In order to finance their ambitious climate plans, the party wants to introduce a billionaires’ tax, reform the debt brake, and close tax loopholes for companies.
https://p.dw.com/p/4oGC1
Skip next section FDP policy proposals: Lower taxes, debt brake
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
FDP policy proposals: Lower taxes, debt brake
FDP leader Lindner and party secretary Marco Buschmann kept their policy proposals to their party’s bread and butter: the economy.
The business-friendly FDP said they want to lower taxes on individual earners who make less than 96,600€ ($101, 400) a year, as well as lower taxes on companies and on inheritance.
Changing , which limits the amount of money the government can borrow, is “absolutely forbidden,” the pair confirmed.
Arguments about the debt brake were central to Lindner’s falling out with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as some economists argue that Germany’s if it does not borrow money to modernize.
The FDP also wants to “completely reform” social welfare for the country’s lowest earners, they said.
Another facet of the program is to limit the ability of “essential workers” to strike, such as those in the health, energy, and education sectors.
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12/17/2024December 17, 2024
FDP’s Lindner warns that voters will move to the political fringes if traditional parties don’t pass reforms
Former Finance Minister , whose dismissal precipitated the collapse of Germany’s coalition in November, was the main speaker at his pro-business ‘s conference on Thursday.
The election on “February 23 of next year marks a directional decision for our country,” he said. He warned that without implementing the economic reforms his party is suggesting, “more and more people will look for an alternative to the democratic center.”
His use of the word alternative alluded to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently in second place in most voter surveys.
Although is currently only polling at 5%, barely clearing the hurdle to enter the Bundestag, Lindner delivered his remarks with the seriousness of one who expects his party to become kingmakers in future coalition talks.
As it has in the past, Lindner said he was sure the FDP “would play a key role in building the future government.”
Lindner’s open disagreements with the SPD and Green parties about policy, despite being the most junior member of the coalition, were at the heart of why Chancellor Scholz demanded his resignation.
https://p.dw.com/p/4oFec
Skip next section CSU leader Söder: Scholz ‘the most embarrassing chancellor ever’
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
CSU leader Söder: Scholz ‘the most embarrassing chancellor ever’
During an event to announce the party’s election program, CDU and CSU leaders took to criticizing the current government and its head, Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
CSU head went as far as calling Scholz “the most embarrassing chancellor Germany has ever had.”
This comes after Scholz said on television that CDU leader Friedrich Merz “likes to talk nonsense.”
Söder also criticized Germany’s Green party for being “incompetent,” also saying Germany’s conservatives are currently unlikely to cooperate with the Greens due to their policies.
The conservative coalition of the CDU and CSU said that “business as usual is not an option.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4oFUp
Skip next section CDU calls for lower taxes, tougher action on illegal immigration
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
CDU calls for lower taxes, tougher action on illegal immigration
Germany’s conservative coalition, made of the (CDU) and Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) unanimously voted in favor of the party’s program for
The program includes a promise to lower taxes and de-facto stop illegal migration.
The party will also continue its support for Ukraine and will re-introduce compulsory military service, previously canceled in 2011, according to a report by German news agency DPA.
The party’s leader and Chancellor candidate said he believes the conservative Union “must become the guarantors of peace and freedom.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4oFK2
Skip next section Russian meddling in Germany’s election feared
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
Russian meddling in Germany’s election feared
, authorities in Berlin fear that the February 23 vote will also be a target for pro-Russian propaganda.
Media investigations have pointed to Kremlin-linked efforts to support the far-right and boost the Russia-friendly views of the left-wing populist
Germany’s Interior Ministry has set up a taskforce to take “the necessary protection measures” against any disinformation, sabotage, espionage and cyber attacks.
“Whether we like it or not, we are in a direct confrontation with Moscow,” Germany’s foreign intelligence chief Bruno Kahl has warned.
https://p.dw.com/p/4oFEX
Skip next section Televised debates to take place in February
12/17/2024December 17, 2024
Televised debates to take place in February
Germany is officially going to elections, and debate preparations are now underway.
This comes after the current government, under the leadership of Chancellor of the SPD on Monday, resulting in him asking President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to call early elections.
Scholz is expected to face his main opponent, conservative CDU leader , in at least two televised debates prior to the elections, which are expected to take place on February 23.
Public broadcasters ARD and ZDF are planning one debate on February 9, while private broadcaster RTL will hold another debate on February 16.
ftm/zc (dpa, Reuters, AFP)
https://p.dw.com/p/4oEni
The post German election: Scholz plans Trump visit before vote appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
