Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner.Image: trapezoid
Germany's unpopular traffic light government is a thing of the past. The media unanimously agreed: This is good news.
Germans have never really warmed to the Traffic Light Alliance (comprised of the Social Democrats, Greens and FDP) that has been in power since late 2021. Obviously this also applies between alliance partners. The traffic light structure collapsed with a roar Wednesday night. German Chancellor Olaf Schulz and ousted Finance Minister Christian Lindner traded accusations and criticized each other.
The end of the traffic light is clear at a glance:
However, the German media unanimously agreed: this is a good day for Germany. Reaction overview
t-online
Scholz didn't want to hold himself responsible for the traffic light malfunction. But many critics, including Watson's partner t-online, see things differently.
“The failure of the traffic light was the failure of Olaf Scholz. There is nothing to sugarcoat here.”
Scholz was unable to hold the government together, which was the chancellor's top priority. But Lindner and Habeck, as well as the geopolitical situation, were not easy for him. Most importantly, things can clearly get better in Germany now:
“This is an undignified end to the most unpopular government in the history of the Federal Republic.”
Bild
“The day the traffic lights went out”
“The Chancellor is sacking the Minister of Finance. The Federal Republic is getting rid of the most unpopular government it has ever seen! November 6, 2024 is a day that will go down in history. But it is not a good day!”
The German tabloid, which has harshly criticized the government for months, welcomed the removal of traffic lights. However, the manner in which this occurred prompted further criticism. Scholz showed no reflection in his angry remarks about Lindner. In the end it was clear: “Nothing more to do with the three traffic light men!”
Mirror
“It’ll be nice if it’s over”
“It has nothing to do with the Progressive Alliance: the Traffic Light Alliance deceived itself from the start. The arrogant SPD, the arrogant Greens, the ever-obstructive FDP – they all pursue their own agenda. For the Chancellor's party, the endgame is a ( Very small) chance.”
“Der Spiegel” believed that the selfishness of the alliance members was the main reason for the failure. The news magazine described Scholz's anger as “perhaps the most intense display of his tenure as chancellor”. The SPD's small chance lies in revitalizing the party and distinguishing itself as a minority government. After all, it couldn't get any worse.
«I'm glad it's all over now. Because traffic lights damage not only themselves, but also people’s trust in the political system.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
“Earthquake – also in Berlin”
“The day after Trump's landslide victory, there was an earthquake in Berlin. Traffic lights have become history, a disgraceful history.”
For the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of the reasons for the traffic light malfunction is that they want or have to coordinate too many special interests. Every group of voters should have something to do – a goal that failed.
sueddeutsche Zeitung
“The abolition of traffic lights is good news for Germany”
South Germans have a wonderful sense of ease.
“This government will not do the republic any good for another year.”
focus
“Scholz misunderstood who Germany’s real imposer was”
“When Olaf Scholz issued a statement after Lindner's dismissal, not a word of self-criticism came from his lips. His rapprochement with the finance minister seemed narrow-minded. The chancellor missed an opportunity.”
The news portal Focus also had a harsh view of German Finance Minister Scholz. His appearance and his remarks about Christian Lindner were an “imposition” and a “tear”.
“The performance was historic – rarely has there been so many tears and lack of self-assessment at such a politically critical moment.”
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