AFP/Archiv
Green youth and Jusos see major differences with FDP
SPD, Greens and FDP on Monday started their in-depth exploratory talks on the formation of a traffic light coalition. The teams of the three parties have scheduled ten hours for the consultations in Berlin. Confidentiality has been agreed for the talks, and there are no plans to brief the press afterwards.
The main points of contention are considered to be tax and financial policy as well as climate protection. Already on Tuesday morning, another four-hour exploratory talk is planned. After that, there will be a break because SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz has to travel to Washington for a meeting of finance ministers. After Scholz’s return, the top-level talks are to continue on Friday.
The new co-federal spokesman of the Green Youth, Timon Dzienus, expressed skepticism with regard to the prospects of success of the exploratory talks. Especially with the FDP, there are significant differences, he told RTL/ntv’s “Frühstart” program. “These are simply tough issues with the FDP, where the Greens and the SPD have to assert themselves in many places.”
The FDP will “put pressure” in some areas and the Greens and SPD should not “give in too much” especially in the area of climate and social policy.Dzienus accused the FDP of a “market faith” on the issue of climate and rents.
Juso chair Jessica Rosenthal also referred to the differences between Jusos and the Young Liberals. It is now in the exploratory talks to look for common ground, she told the Phoenix channel. She reiterated the support for an earlier coal phase-out than 2038 – but in doing so she also opposed SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. This was for climate protection “a very big chunk, where we can gain quite a lot in a short time.”
Over the weekend, politicians from the Greens and FDP pointed to serious political differences – such as on financial policy. The “traffic light” is “still a long way from being in the bag,” said Green Party leader Robert Habeck, for example.
by MIKE CLARKE