The debate about the planned citizens’ income is being conducted more fiercely than any political dispute between the government camp and the opposition in Germany for a long time. The SPD leader accuses the Union of “fake news” and a deliberate division of society. The CSU chairman even doubts the traffic light coalition’s understanding of democracy.
In the dispute over citizen income, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder is now demanding an apology from SPD leader Lars Klingbeil. He had accused the union of spreading “fake news”. “Mr. Klingbeil should actually apologize quickly for such a serious derailment,” said CSU boss Söder on ARD. “Because in the end it only leads to the SPD isolating itself in the population and in the democratic process.” One should “return to reasonable arguments”.
Klingbeil had accused Söder and CDU leader Friedrich Merz of splitting society. In the discussion about citizen income, the Union is spreading false numbers and playing low earners off against people who are dependent on the state. “Anyone who behaves like this, who follows Donald Trump’s path of spreading fake news, who believes that the country needs to be divided, has no place in the political center of this country,” said Heil.
“It’s a sign of total weakness, aggression and insecurity when Mr. Klingbeil argues like that,” Söder replied. “The traffic light now tends to disqualify anyone who has a different opinion.” Acting in this way shows an understanding of democracy that worries him greatly.
The first parliamentary manager of the FDP parliamentary group, Johannes Vogel, said on ARD with regard to Klingbeil’s statements that that was not his choice of words. “But I think we have to realize that there was a lot of misdirection going on in this debate.”
The citizens’ allowance planned by the traffic light coalition is intended to replace the previous Hartz IV. The Federal Council votes on Monday. After the Bundestag decision last week, the project could be stopped in the chamber of states, since the consent of the federal states governed by the Union is required. However, the CDU and CSU reject the traffic light project because they believe it reduces motivation to accept work. The traffic light parties reject this. If the Bundesrat does not agree, the mediation committee of the Bundesrat and Bundestag could be called upon to find a compromise.
