German Minister-President Anke Rehlinger of the SPD demands greater concessions from CDU leader Friedrich Merz if a black-red alliance is to be forged.
Rehlinger told the Tagesspiegel (Friday edition), “Friedrich Merz must come towards us; so far, he gives the impression of having an absolute majority.” “If he wants to become Chancellor, he needs 100 percent SPD. There is no such thing for 16 percent of content.” Merz’s “Vogel, friss oder stirb” (Eat or Die) motto will not win over the SPD.
Rehlinger points out that Merz has squandered trust, not just with the SPD, but also with trade unions, churches and civil society, whom he has insulted as “left-wing dreamers”. He must regain this trust. “As Federal Chancellor, one has the duty to bring society together, not to split it.”
In Rehlinger’s view, the debate over the controversial migration votes before the Bundestag election is not over. “Mr. Merz must already explain whether we can expect regular joint votes from the Union and AfD now” she said. “Citizens want to know if they can trust him.