In a fiery exchange at the Bundestag, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Friedrich Merz laid bare their ideological differences, setting the stage for the upcoming election campaign. Scholz accused Merz of favoring policies for the wealthy, while Merz criticized Scholz's government's handling of key issues like migration and economic growth. Scholz, defending the working class, emphasized that hard work is not confined to high earners, challenging Merz's call for more respect towards top earners.
Merz, on the other hand, painted Scholz as a leader losing influence within his coalition and failing on the economy and migration. He accused the government of missing economic opportunities in Europe, highlighting Germany's recession status while other countries experience growth. Merz criticized the SPD's tax plans targeting top earners, arguing they would harm small and medium enterprises critical for job creation.
The debate also touched on the upcoming EU summit, with migration as a focal point. Scholz's silence on the issue drew Merz's ire, who saw it as a strategic omission. Scholz announced plans for an "Industriepact" to revitalize the German economy, aiming to safeguard industrial jobs and drive growth.
Green party leader Katharina Dröge accused Merz of leveraging fear in his political strategy, urging a focus on the opportunities of green economic reforms. Meanwhile, AfD's Tino Chrupalla condemned the coalition's performance, calling for new elections.
As Scholz heads to Brussels, the Bundestag debate underscores the political tensions and the contrasting visions for Germany's future, setting the tone for the election battles ahead.
