Angelika Ahrens
Frei: Convinced of a joint solution with the SPD
Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei is convinced that the coalition will find common solutions to the conflict over upcoming reforms. The CDU politician said in the ARD “Tagesthemen” that he had no reason to believe that the necessary tasks could not be successfully accomplished together. This also applies after the resignation of Labor Minister Bärbel Bas. “I am convinced that we will come to a common solution on pensions, similar to other issues that affect the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,” said Frei.
Both the SPD and the Union know that they have not yet achieved the goals they have set themselves. "We have to achieve significantly better results. This has to be noticeable in people's real lives," said Frei.
Tom Körkemeier
Klingbeil and Söder are committed to pension reform - but differences in speed and details
Following the resignation of Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil and CSU leader Markus Söder have announced their support for the government's planned pension reform - albeit with different aspects. Klingbeil said on ARD on Monday evening that the SPD had by no means delayed the reform, but was sticking to the timelines set in the coalition. The SPD chairman emphasized that there are still open questions such as the pension without deductions after 45 years of contributions, the question of mini-jobs or the so-called blocked partial retirement.
CSU boss Söder, however, said that time was running out. “We have to make decisions,” he said on ARD. That's why we can't wait until the SPD decides on its new formation at a party conference at the end of the year. He emphasized that the new Labor Minister Alexander Schweitzer must accept the agreements reached in the coalition and not question them.
Tom Körkemeier
Pistorius evades questions about SPD ambitions
When asked about the resignation of SPD leader Bärbel Bas, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius initially indicated no ambitions for a top SPD post. He was at the meeting of the SPD presidium and there were intensive discussions, he told journalists in Berlin when asked whether he could also be counted on at the top of the SPD in view of his high-profile action on Berlin's Bebelplatz last week.
Pistorius added: "Some people in public or in the party may not be able to imagine it, but you can do something like last Tuesday on August-Bebel-Platz simply out of an inner attitude, out of a deep impulse, without attaching any ambitions or demands to it. I think that says it all."
Tom Körkemeier
Steinmeier appointed Schweitzer as the new labor minister on Tuesday
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants to appoint the former Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) as the new Labor Minister on Tuesday (5 p.m.). The Federal President's Office announced that the previous minister Bärbel Bas should receive her discharge certificate “in advance of the appointment”.
Tom Körkemeier
Klingbeil: I will remain Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister
Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil wants to keep his government positions, even if he is no longer chairman after the planned SPD party conference in December or January.
"To be honest, the question doesn't arise at all for me. I am very happy to be finance minister and vice-chancellor of this country and will continue to be so," said Klingbeil at a press conference in the finance ministry.
Tom Körkemeier
After Bas' resignation: Kretschmer calls for quick reforms
After the resignation of SPD leader and Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer is calling for rapid progress on reforms in the federal government. “Now it is important that the federal government makes progress with the important reforms,” said the CDU politician to the “Leipziger Volkszeitung” and the “Sächsische Zeitung”. He hopes for quick, concrete results.
Kretschmer described the designated new labor minister, the former head of government of Rhineland-Palatinate Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), as a valued colleague from the Prime Minister's Conference. As the new Minister of Labor, he has important tasks ahead of him. “Especially when it comes to pensions, we need solutions that are sustainable in the long term and take into account the different employment histories in Germany,” he told the newspapers.
Tom Körkemeier
Klingbeil doubts whether the electricity tax reduction will be financed
Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is open to a reduction in electricity tax for everyone as planned by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), but expresses doubts about its affordability. The SPD politician said in Berlin that he had nothing against this political demand. But it also has to be able to be financed.
Klingbeil added: "We are pleased that growth is back. But I cannot confirm today the assumption that this would enable a permanent electricity tax cut to be financed."
Patricia Hoffhaus
Schwesig on Bas' successor: Coalition talks have priority
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig has avoided the question of a possible party leadership following the resignation of SPD leader Bärbel Bas. “The SPD has a party chairman, it has deputies, so the SPD is able to act,” she said at a press conference on the coalition negotiations in MV. Your full concentration is on these discussions. In Schwerin, the SPD, the Left and the Greens want to form a red-red-green state government.
The coalition negotiations would require their full strength. “And that’s why I want to concentrate completely on this topic in the next few weeks,” said Schwesig. She said she ran for the election with the aim of “continuing to stay in the country, to remain Prime Minister here”. However, the SPD chairmanship and the Prime Minister's office are not mutually exclusive - Kurt Beck led the Social Democrats from 2006 to 2008 and was at the same time head of government in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Tim Seckel
Electricity tax should fall as soon as more growth increases tax revenue
The electricity tax should be reduced as soon as the higher growth expectations are reflected in higher tax revenue, says Merz. The additional growth creates the necessary scope in the budget for this.
Tim Seckel
Merz: Only discussed with Bas on factual issues
He last had contact with Bärbel Bas three weeks ago and told her to take the time off she needed in light of her bereavement. He only had differences with her on factual issues, “never personally,” and always called for “Christian” consideration for the SPD minister in his party. “The CDU has always expressed its sympathy for Ms. Bas,” says Merz.
Hoppermann adds that the Ministry of Labor has three civil servant state secretaries and 1,400 employees - this is likely to indicate that she does not expect any inaction despite the minister's absence. Bas had been accused of this several times by several CDU representatives.
Tim Seckel
Merz: Agreement in the coalition agreement stands in the way of a coalition with the left in Berlin
The Chancellor says that the coalition agreement in the federal government contains a passage that actually prevents the SPD from forming a government with the Left in Berlin. The left in Berlin is particularly radical, so that a red-green-red state government would also be a burden for the federal government.
Tim Seckel
Merz does not comment on Schwesig's criticism
“The SPD and individual prime ministers have to know what words to use,” says Merz, when asked about Manuela Schwesig’s criticism of the CDU’s treatment of Bärbel Bas. Schwesig called the behavior “inhumane”.
Tim Seckel
Hoppermann: Affordability, justice and security are key issues
The CDU general secretary now explains what exactly the CDU presidium has decided. She reiterates Merz's announcement on the electricity tax and says the availability of medical appointments and safety in cities are other priorities for the party.
Tim Seckel
Merz: Anyone who votes for AfD elected officials in the CDU has no place in the party
The CDU leader reiterates that he finds the election of an AfD representative as state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt “terrible”. Anyone who helps AfD MPs into government positions with a CDU mandate has no place in the CDU.
Tim Seckel
Merz: Zelensky can rely on Germany
In view of the diesel deal between the USA and Russia, Merz emphasizes that Germany and Europe will not make any agreements of this kind with Moscow. We continue to stand by Ukraine and continue to support the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Tim Seckel
Merz defends the fuel price brake and announces that he will reduce electricity taxes
The Chancellor emphasizes that short-term relief for the population is just as important as long-term reforms. He defends the tax cuts on fuels and announces that “financial leeway” in the budget should be used to reduce the electricity tax for all consumers to the EU minimum. The tax rate is currently a good two cents per kilowatt hour, the EU minimum would be 0.05 cents.
Tim Seckel
Merz: Combine reforms with “future perspectives”.
Germany is under “great pressure to change,” says Merz. The federal government has not yet managed to “combine the reforms with a future perspective for large parts of the population”. The coalition must now succeed in this. The coming generations should have just as much of a chance of a free, secure, self-determined life as previous generations, says the Chancellor.
Tim Seckel
Merz thanks Bas for his work as minister - Schweitzer is his successor
The Chancellor says he respects Bärbel Bas' resignation. She worked “very well and trustingly” with him and the other ministers. Merz personally wished her strength in view of the bereavement in the family. He is pleased that Bas' will remain in the Bundestag.
Merz confirms that Alexander Schweitzer will succeed Bas as Labor Minister. There are many tasks ahead of him that now have to be processed quickly.
Lara Dehari
Now live: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a press conference after the CDU executive board meeting
Lara Dehari
The press conference is over.
Lara Dehari
The new SPD leadership is to be elected at the end of the year
Klingbeil wants to have a new SPD leader elected at a federal party conference in December or January. Until then, he will lead the party alone. “The SPD is capable of acting,” he says – also with regard to the reforms. A party convention without elections was previously planned; the next party conference was not scheduled to take place until the end of next year. Klingbeil also wants to continue to rely on dual leadership in the new SPD leadership elections. He still thinks this line-up is correct. Klingbeil leaves it open whether he wants to compete again himself.
Lara Dehari
Klingbeil explains new personnel choices
Klingbeil justifies his decision to propose Alexander Schweitzer for the position of Labor Minister by saying that he already has experience on the Berlin stage and is well known in Berlin. He also accepted that the ratio of women and men in the SPD positions would change.
Lara Dehari
Klingbeil: “We need a culture of dispute, but we also need a politics of respect”
“Bärbel Bas leaves his mark,” says Klingbeil. He talks about their successes, including the pension package and measures against welfare fraud. “These are difficult and special times in which we bear responsibility,” he says.
Klingbeil emphasizes that women in particular have to endure “hatred and agitation” in high positions. “That’s indecent,” says Klingbeil. “This poisons the political discourse,” says the SPD leader. We have to consider “whether we want our country to have such a political culture.” “We need a culture of dispute, but we also need a politics of respect,” says the minister. The political discourse has crossed lines, which scares Klingbeil.
Adopt the right-wing narrative. “In the end, all that’s left is hate.” He would like “that we in the political center don’t play the game of the extreme right.”
Lara Dehari
Klingbeil: “I am very sad about this step”
Lars Klingbeil, SPD party leader and finance minister, speaks at a press conference about the resignation of his co-boss and former labor minister. She submitted her resignation from both positions this morning. “I want to tell you openly that today is not a sad day for me,” says Klingbeil. He was informed by her on Saturday. “I am very sad about this step.”
