As Germany navigates the complex landscape of coalition talks and Ukraine policy discussions, Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with CDU leader Friedrich Merz to discuss European security issues.
The likely next coalition in Germany has been making progress in exploratory talks, with the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the center-left SPD agreeing on a large financial package to boost defense and infrastructure spending. This comes as outgoing Chancellor ‘Olaf Scholz‘ meets with CDU leader Friedrich Merz to discuss Ukraine policy and European security issues.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), are two major center-right political parties in Germany.
The CDU is a federal party with branches in all German states, while the CSU is active only in Bavaria.
The parties have a long-standing alliance, often referred to as the 'Union', which has dominated German politics for decades.
They share similar conservative and Christian democratic ideologies but maintain distinct regional identities.
Scholz Meets with Merz Ahead of EU Summit
Outgoing Chancellor ‘Olaf Scholz’ has been talking about European security with his likely successor, Friedrich Merz. The meeting was held ahead of a special EU summit on Ukraine and European security, which ‘Scholz will attend on Thursday.’ During the talks, Scholz is expected to inform Merz and other conservative lawmakers about the international crisis meeting on Ukraine last Sunday.
Olaf Scholz is a German politician serving as the Chancellor of Germany since December 2021.
Born on June 6, 1958, in Hamburg, Germany, he previously held the office of Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister under Angela Merkel's government.
Scholz has been a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) since 1975 and has served in various positions within the party and government.
He played a key role in shaping Germany's economic policies and has been a strong advocate for European integration.
Friedrich Merz is a German politician and former chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Born on November 11, 1955, in Plettenberg, West Germany, he studied law at the University of Cologne.
Merz served as a member of the Bundestag from 1987 to 2009 and again from 2018.
He was also Minister for Special Tasks and Federal Affairs from 1993 to 1998.
Known for his conservative views, Merz has been involved in various controversies throughout his career.
Baerbock Steps Down from Green Party Leadership
Outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced that she does not want to take on any leadership role in the parliamentary group of her Green Party. In a letter to the parliamentary group, she wrote that she had ‘decided for personal reasons to take a temporary step back from the bright limelight and not to apply for any leading office in the parliamentary party.’
Coalition Talks Continue with Focus on Defense and Infrastructure
The CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD are set to continue exploratory coalition talks, with top negotiators canceling traditional Ash Wednesday events to pursue them. The two sides have agreed to try and form a new coalition after the CDU ruled out working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The likely future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said he hopes to have formed a government by Easter.
Germany’s Central Bank Proposes Loosening Debt Rules
Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, has put forward proposals for loosening strict debt rules, known as the ‘debt brake.’ The main proposal is to increase the amount the government is permitted to borrow annually from 0.35% of GDP to 1.4%. A large amount of the borrowed money would be earmarked exclusively for new investments.
What’s Happening in German Politics on Wednesday?
Exploratory coalition talks between the CDU, CSU, and SPD are set to continue, with top negotiators canceling traditional Ash Wednesday events to pursue them. The CDU finished first in Germany’s snap election on February 23 with 28.5% of the vote, while the SPD came third with a postwar-low of 16.4%.
