Pressure mounts on Scholz: calls for quick decision

Following the withdrawal from the Traffic Light Alliance, there are growing calls for new elections to be held faster: The Alliance and the FDP are once again calling on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to bring a confidence vote to the Bundestag as soon as possible or at the earliest opportunity. This Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Green Party) expressed doubts about the possible conditions for a quick confidence vote and warned against a “unsettled game” that lasted too long.

On Monday, federal and state election authorities want to discuss preparations for early elections in the Bundestag. Federal Electoral Officer Ruth Brand warned in a letter to Scholz that a shorter deadline would pose “unforeseen risks.” According to Article 39, the Bundestag must hold new elections within 60 days after the Federal President dissolves the parliament. Brands want to make the most of the deadline “so that all necessary measures can be taken in a legal, safe and timely manner.”

Criticism after review about lack of paper

In his letter, Brand pointed to logistical challenges such as appointing an election committee, recruiting and training poll workers, organizing polling stations and, ultimately, possible problems obtaining paper.

The paper industry objected. «The clear answer: yes. If you order on time, we can deliver the paper you need for the early federal elections,” Alexander von Reibnitz, managing director of the Paper Industry Association, told “ZDFheute.de”.

The league also disputed Brand's claims. “I can therefore only advise the federal electoral officer not to allow anyone to exploit her,” Thorsten Frei, managing director of the Federalist First parliament, told Bild newspaper. CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann told the newspaper that countries like Germany must be able to “hold elections within 60 days.”

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mutzenich warned in the Süddeutsche Zeitung that the legal and practical requirements for new elections should be taken seriously.

Federal Electoral Officer Brand defended himself against misappropriation charges. Her spokesman explained that the Federal Electoral Officer is an independent electoral body and is not bound by instructions but by legal provisions. “The Federal Electoral Officer's position in the new elections has also not been directed or influenced in any way,” he clarified.

Their job is to ensure that national elections are properly prepared and conducted, and to flag the risks involved. Brand did so in a letter to the chancellor.

Merz wants Scholz to hold a vote of confidence this Wednesday

Regarding the proposals put forward by the SPD, which has linked an earlier date to negotiations on the legislative proposals, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the union's chancellor candidate, told Stern magazine: “Once Olaf Scholz, we can discuss this issue” raised the vote of confidence in the Bundestag. His government announcement on Wednesday will be a good opportunity. “

New SPD general secretary Matthias Miersch told the Westfalenstadt newspaper that the chancellor may ask for a confidence vote before Christmas. Of course, this is currently being discussed.

After the collapse of his traffic light coalition, Scholz expressed a willingness to talk about the timing of a confidence vote and subsequent new elections, first mentioning a confidence vote on January 15 and then an early federal election at the end of March. . On Friday, he called on the Bundestag to reach an agreement on the law that should still be passed.

Greens cast doubt on Scholz plan

“What I doubt very much is whether these good or bad reasons — you can think of them as you like — should be mixed with the implementation of political pet projects,” Habeck said Saturday in Neuhardenberg. “That doesn't seem to be consistent with the salience of the trust issue, and that's how I see it.”

The Greens are open to bringing forward the election date. “We in the Green Party can easily accept an earlier date. We have done our work and are ready for everything,” outgoing party leader Omid Nouripour told Sunday Pictures newspaper said.

Political parties are preparing for election campaigns

The Greens hope to present a “concise and sharp election program” this year after the dissolution of the Traffic Light Alliance. It is a proposal that recognizes the successes of the past years but also shows what matters now: upholding climate protection, strengthening justice, and defending freedom and peace, as an urgent motion for the upcoming party congress. November 15-17, Wiesbaden.

SPD Chairman Lars Klingber announced that the campaign will focus on Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz. “The question for voters is: Scholz or Merz?” Klingber said in an interview with Times Online. And: “This polarization of centrists also helps fight populists.”

Liberals think chancellor is unbelievable

The FDP once again called on Scholz to quickly clear the way for new elections. Bijan Djir-Sarai, secretary-general of the FDP, told the German Press Agency that the fact that the chancellor is now delaying the decision on the grounds of national political responsibilities is completely unbelievable.

“The Liberal Democrats approached him with proposals to bring the alliance to an orderly end and to quickly complete time-sensitive projects. “But his decision was different,” said Gil-Salai. Finance minister and Liberal Democratic leader amid collapse of talks to save traffic light alliance Christian Lindner called for orderly new elections and Scholz fired him.

Reflecting on the FDP's options after snap federal elections, Lindner wrote on Platform X on Sunday that the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung had asked him if he could imagine governing again with the Social Democrats and the Greens. “Since fundamental reforms are not possible in this worsening economic crisis, let me say it clearly: a traffic light alliance is not possible.” (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)

New conflict between Bern and Brussels, Jans reiterates protection clauses and US class action lawsuit against Lindt & Sprüngli: this and more can be found in the Sunday papers.

While a new EU deal is being negotiated, a new tax dispute has erupted between Switzerland and the EU. Brussels is calling for changes to the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), according to research by NZZ am Sonntag. Specifically, this means that Swiss authorities must collect tax claims from EU citizens from their home country.