Espreso. Global

A call to Putin: Scholz's risky move in a fragile coalition

4 October, 2024 Friday
16:35

Since the last conversation about the potential withdrawal of the Free Democrats from the coalition, the situation has continued to rapidly escalate

client/title.list_title

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the situation within Germany's ruling coalition.

The leader of the Free Democrats and Finance Minister, Christian Lindner, is issuing clear warnings, insisting that either his budget demands are met or his party will withdraw from the coalition. One might think that if Chancellor Olaf Scholz agrees to Lindner's demands, the Free Democrats will settle down. However, this is far from the case; Lindner has ignited internal discontent with the coalition, known as the “traffic light” coalition.

Last year, the Free Democrats contemplated leaving the coalition, but a party vote failed to reach that conclusion, with only 47% in favor of departure. Now, the party is gearing up for another “party referendum,” and the chances of a favorable outcome appear much higher.

Within the Greens, the party’s top leadership has resigned, and the youth wing has distanced itself from the party. While opinions about leaving the coalition are mixed, the resignation of key leaders has diminished the party's influence due to organizational challenges, yet the desire to exit remains.

The Social Democrats largely prefer to maintain the status quo, but skepticism about the coalition's longevity is prevalent. There are three factions within the party: one aims to sustain current conditions while negotiating with the Free Democrats; another seeks to replace Scholz with the more popular Boris Pistorius without triggering early elections, which could boost the Social Democrats’ and coalition partners’ approval ratings; the third group is preparing for potential early elections.

Should the Free Democrats choose to exit the coalition, three scenarios may unfold:

  1. A minority government of Social Democrats and Greens could govern until the next elections in late 2025, though this option is deemed unlikely for several reasons.
  2. The Social Democrats might propose forming a broad coalition with the AfD or CDU by the end of 2025, though this scenario is even less likely.
  3. Early elections could be scheduled for spring 2025.

"As for the report in Zeit from an anonymous source within Scholz’s team regarding a potential call to Putin, this would be a controversial political move amid the ongoing coalition turmoil, as it could provoke backlash from the Free Democrats and Greens. The only plausible explanation for such a call would be if Scholz were asked to relay a message from abroad, although this scenario seems unlikely, as it could jeopardize his political future.

Therefore, this information in Zeit as likely an attempt to further destabilize the coalition from within," the author concludes.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Saturday
2 November
20:15
Russia illegally 'nationalizes' 1,200 properties in Crimea in 2024
19:53
Exclusive
Putin will restrain himself if Trump comes to power - diplomat Volker
19:30
Exclusive
NATO membership may become more realistic for Ukraine - diplomat Bryza
19:08
107 clashes at front: Russian army attacks in 11 sectors - Ukraine's General Staff
18:46
Exclusive
'Russia to sign DPRK-like agreement': expert on Iran's possible participation in war against Ukraine
18:24
OPINION
War of underdeveloped economies
18:02
Ukraine develops Hrim-2 missile capable of targeting Putin – media
17:44
Exclusive
No betrayal expected from U.S. under Trump, but Ukraine must brace for prolonged war - political expert
17:21
OPINION
North Korean soldiers in Ukraine will trigger domino effect worldwide
16:59
Exclusive
Alarming trends: Space of Freedom movement on renewed Russification in public space
16:38
Ukraine resists one of Russia’s most powerful offensives since war started – top general
16:16
Russia damages nearly 400 residential buildings in Ukraine's Kharkiv in October
15:57
Exclusive
China is strongly dissatisfied with North Korea's actions - diplomat Bryza
15:35
OPINION
Is Russia planning massive missile attack on Ukraine?
15:12
Exclusive
Frontline is not falling apart - military expert
14:50
Ukraine to have its own cruise, ballistic missiles by 2025
14:33
Russia attacks Ukraine with Shaheds: drone debris falls in 6 Kyiv districts, injuring people
14:11
Review
Russia's tactics in Kursk region, situation in Toretsk sector. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:48
Exclusive
Putin awaits U.S. presidential election winner to press influence demands - political analyst
13:29
North Korea claims to support Russia until it wins in Ukraine
13:10
OPINION
Russia begs Kazakhstan for civilian aircraft
12:51
'All possible scenarios are being considered': South Korean FM on providing Ukraine with weapons
12:33
145 combat clashes occur at front on Nov. 1 - Ukraine's General Staff
12:12
Russian troops attempt to break through to center of Terny near Lyman - DeepState
11:54
Partisans record Russian unit's relocation after Ukrainian strike in Zaporizhzhia region
11:37
Russia deploys over 7,000 North Korean troops to border with Ukraine
11:18
Exclusive
Drone swarm targets Kyiv today: military expert on Russia's possible preparations for major attack
10:56
North Korean troops in Russia may face major problems - UK intelligence
10:35
Russia loses 1,270 soldiers, 37 artillery systems, 8 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Friday
1 November
21:30
OPINION
Nation debating plan for victory, not survival
21:11
106 Russian Shahed drones violate Belarusian airspace since July
20:57
Poland declares ‘high readiness’ for new wave of Ukrainian refugees
20:40
OPINION
Serious talk about NATO
20:25
Odesa faces most intense missile attacks among Ukraine's rear areas in October
20:10
Russian marines in Sevastopol paying off to avoid being sent to Kursk region
20:05
Updated
Colonel killed, 26 police officers, 4 civilians injured in Russian missile strike on Kharkiv
19:55
U.S. announces new $425 million security assistance package for Ukraine
19:35
Estonian intelligence assesses combat capability of North Korean military in Russia's war on Ukraine
19:16
Russia relies on the drone count, not on technological upgrades - Defense Express
18:54
Exclusive
Putin in winning position, not in need of any negotiations - international expert Nesvitalov
More news