Economy Minister and Greens chancellor candidate Robert Habeck today defended the government’s work, while blaming previous governments and warning that even after the elections, everything will not suddenly change for the better.

“All three of us were annoyed with each other, but I don’t want to dig into the last three years now,” said Mr. Hambeck from the floor of the Bundestag during the confidence vote session, which will formally open the way for early elections. The Greens candidate said the governing coalition found a “difficult legacy” as Germany faces a “deep structural crisis” and the country “has not recorded real growth since 2018”. He accused the previous governments of “magnificent errors” especially in the matter of energy and referring to the declarations of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), he called them unworkable and called on the citizens “not to believe a word”. Mr. Habeck also accused the Alternative for Germany (AfD) of being a “racist party” and spoke of the “biggest danger” for Germany. “With their racism, they will lead Germany into an economic crisis,” he stressed.

“Day of relief” for Friedrich Mertz

Christian Democratic Party (CDU) leader and Christian Union (CDU/CSU) chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz described today as a “day of relief”, speaking from the floor of the Bundestag as part of the confidence vote.

“We are finally voting today for the vote of confidence,” said Mr. Mertz and criticized the chancellor for delaying procedures that pave the way for elections, while defending Free Democrats (FDP) leader Christian Lindner, who had previously come under fire from Olaf Solz. “You talked about respect. But what you said here today about the FDP and Christian Lindner is not only disrespectful, but also pure insolence,” he stressed. Mr. Solz in his speech had attributed to the leader of the FDP the responsibility for the dissolution of the governing coalition, speaking of “sabotage”, “damage to democracy” and a lack of “moral maturity”.

Mr. Mertz also accused Mr. Solz that he failed in his three years of office and leaves the country in one of the biggest economic crises. He even described the Greens’ candidate for economy minister Robert Habeck as “the face of the crisis”. The CDU leader also stressed the need to make the German economy more competitive, to increase working hours and years. “Everyone needs to try harder and work harder,” he said, but denied that his party was planning pension cuts.

Chancellor, you had your chance, you didn’t take it, you didn’t deserve the trust,” concluded Friedrich Merz.