December 16, 2024
Opposition chief Merz slams SPD: ‘You have introduced disgrace on Germany’
The chief of the opposition CDU Friedrich Merz accused the ruling coalition of hypocrisy. He spoke forward of a confidence vote over Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s authorities.
“The chancellor spoke quite a bit about respect, nevertheless it appears as if his respect ends the place different political views start,” he stated, earlier than calling it “shameless” to have spoken so extremely of his accomplishments however so badly of the FDP, who he stated helped him obtain all of them.
He additional requested why, if Scholz foresaw a lot room for progress, the SPD hadn’t achieved any of it “within the 22 years of the final 26” when it was a part of Germany’s governing coalitions.
“Where had been you for the final 22 years?” he requested.
Merz went on to criticize the funding of the army, the response to record-high inflation and an financial disaster, and Scholz’s perceived lack of readability and outspokenness on international points over the past a number of years.
“You have introduced disgrace on Germany” in entrance of the EU and different allies, Merz stated.
He additionally praised the FDP for what he described as making an attempt to stop the ruling SPD and Greens from elevating taxes. Arguments over the nationwide finances performed a serious function over the collapse of Scholz’s coalition.
Returning to the subject of the economic system, Merz additionally implied that Germans don’t work sufficient, citing neighboring Switzerland as a constructive instance, the place individuals “work on common 200 hours extra” a yr. The conservative chief stated that working extra hours was vital for “making Germany extra aggressive.”
These statements had been met with loud consternation by different lawmakers.
