The Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig (SPD), has voiced criticism regarding the handling of the nomination of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as a candidate for the Federal Constitutional Court by the CDU/CSU. She expressed concern that the debate surrounding the nomination is damaging the integrity of Germany’s highest court.
Speaking to RTL and ntv on Friday, Schwesig urged the CDU/CSU to uphold prior agreements and vote in favor of the SPD’s candidate. She emphasized the importance of party unity, questioning whether figures like Health Minister Karl Lauter and CDU leader Friedrich Merz would demonstrate the necessary cohesion.
Schwesig highlighted that the nominations were subject to prior consultation and received no initial objections. She underscored that these actions are vital for the reliability of coalition partnerships. “This is the fundamental principle for effective coalition governance” she stated.
The remarks come as the Bundesrat prepares to discuss the so-called “Investment Booster” and infrastructure-specific fund, both initiatives generating significant debate due to their substantial costs. Schwesig staunchly defended both packages, asserting their necessity in stimulating economic growth amid a third consecutive year of recession. She credited Investment Minister Lars Klingbeil for swiftly initiating the investment plans, noting that he also mitigated the impact on local municipalities regarding tax revenue losses connected to the “Investment Booster”. Schwesig anticipates strong support for the initiative within the Bundesrat.
While acknowledging the potential strain these sizable packages will place on the national budget in the coming years due to future interest and repayment obligations, Schwesig believes that the long-term benefits outweigh the immediate costs. She argued that a lack of economic growth currently compounds public finance challenges by reducing tax and social contribution revenues. Addressing this stagnation remains the priority and revitalizing the economy, consequently boosting those revenues, ultimately benefits the public sector. Schwesig affirmed that while fiscal prudence remains necessary, the government should maintain commitments to coalition projects, including increased commuter allowances and reduced value-added tax rates within the hospitality sector.