The Socialist Democrats (SPD) reacted with apparent misunderstanding to the firm “red lines” drawn by the Union faction’s Caucus for Small and Medium Enterprises regarding tax and debt policy. Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD’s foreign policy spokesperson, described the remarks as ill-advised, suggesting that the move was designed not only to provoke the SPD. He added that the statement amounted to an insult against the federal chancellor, whose support, he argued, particularly came from his own faction. Ahmetovic criticized the constant political drama, stating that nobody had any interest in this “soap opera” which he attributed to daily disagreements, fights, and statements made by various small groups, factions, or individuals. Instead, he stated that the public expected the government to demonstrate unity, determination, and clear answers.
The Caucus for Small and Medium Enterprises, which comprises 166 members of the Union parliamentary group, issued a set of demands in a resolution on Wednesday. Their key provisions include opposing any increases to income or inheritance taxes, ensuring that relief measures intended for small and medium incomes are financed without increasing the burden on high earners, and strongly against reforming the established rules for the debt brake.
This internal political tension comes shortly after Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) attended the SPD faction meeting a day earlier. At that meeting, Merz appealed not only to the SPD members but explicitly to his own faction, cautioning them against publicly airing disagreements with each other.