A dispute has erupted in the German parliament, with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens strongly criticizing the Union’s plan to bring a controversial law to a vote in the Bundestag this Friday. The law in question, known as the “Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz” has sparked outrage due to its perceived ties to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has called on the Union’s candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to withdraw the bill, stating that this would be the first step in repairing the damage to political culture, the country and the party’s reputation. Klingbeil accused Merz of being willing to seek a majority with right-wing extremists, while the SPD aims to find common ground and majorities in the democratic center.
Klingbeil also praised former Chancellor Angela Merkel for her criticism of the move, saying that she has always spoken out when something is truly important. The SPD leader expressed concerns that the Union and AfD might work together to pass tax cuts for the wealthy and that the public cannot be assured of this not happening again.
Greens faction leader Katharina Dröge warned Merz against voting with the AfD again, calling the move a repeat of the “taboo break” that occurred on Wednesday. She stated that the Union’s plan to bring the bill to a vote is a “repetition of the same mistake.”
The Union has announced its intention to hold a vote on the bill this Friday, following two motions that were submitted on Wednesday, one of which was rejected and the other, the “Fünf-Punkte-Plan” passed with the help of AfD votes.
Dröge expressed disbelief at the Union’s willingness to support the AfD, saying that she looked at her colleagues in the CDU during the debate and thought, “Really, you too? You’re also voting in favor of this?” She questioned the logic of Merz’s arguments, stating that it is difficult for him to explain why he does not want to form a coalition with the AfD.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, there are intense efforts underway to persuade Merz to change his mind and withdraw the bill. Bundestag President Bärbel Bas is seen as a key mediator in this process. The SPD and Greens are increasingly questioning whether they can still work with the Union and support Merz as a candidate for chancellor if the bill is passed.
Some politicians have gone as far as to say that Merz should not be considered a candidate for chancellor at all. The former SPD leader, Franz Müntefering, stated that the question is whether the country is crazy enough to elect a chancellor like Merz. He accused Merz of making a move out of vanity, saying that he knew he could make a splash for a brief moment. Müntefering described the move as neither tactically nor strategically convincing, but rather “dilettantisch” or amateurish.