Designated Federal Government Minister of the Chancellor, Thorsten Frei (CDU), aims to address potential conflicts between the Union and SPD early on.
Frei stated in an interview with the “Spiegel” that his task is to recognize and solve problems before they escalate. The Union and SPD are now co-governing after having fought against each other in the election campaign until February 23rd. Frei added that “we must now be clear that we can only succeed together.” He emphasized that “showing ourselves against each other will not work.”
The Union and SPD have agreed to regular meetings in the coalition committee in their agreement with the SPD, “irrespective of whether there are currently major problems to be solved.” This contributes to good interpersonal relationships, according to Frei. “Unlike the Ampel, we also do not need 30-hour marathon sessions to clear the mountain of problems.”
The success of the Federal Government Minister of the Chancellor’s office will be measured by how well the government as a whole works together. “The main task is the successful functioning of the coalition” Frei said. The coalition must “be more than the smallest common denominator of the Union and SPD” and provide added value for the country. Regarding the reform of the social system, the “coalition has a common understanding that we are under immense pressure from demographic change in our society.” The topic is not detailed in the coalition agreement. Here, the government alliance of Union and SPD must “find a solution that includes all generations. And we will do this – without the time pressure of the coalition negotiations” Frei promised.