According to the German public TV news, the coaltion government minister positions are laid out now:
The CDU will run: the Chancellor position, the economic post, defense, education, health and agriculture ministries.
The SPD will run: the vice-Chancellor position, the Foreign Ministry, Financial, Labor, Family, Justice and Environment.
The CSU will run the Interior Ministry and Transportation.
Surprises so far? The CDU hints strongly that Van de Leyen will STAY in the defense ministry. The SPD hints strongly that Hamburg's mayor, Olaf Scholz will be the new finance minister and vice-Chancellor. And the SPD hints that Schulz will be the Foreign Minister.
Why Scholz moving up? This is a difficult situation. Back in mid-summer....he was gaining popularity and looking great for the next election in 2021 for the SPD, then the chaos of riots occurred at the G-20 Conference in Hamburg, and his star dimmed a good bit. He has shown little in terms of leadership and confidence. It appears that the party mechanism still thinks he's still looking good.
Schulz? Well....four months ago, he said was never going to work in a situation under a CDU-SPD coalition, with the SPD as a junior partner. Here he is.
Odds of the SPD party members approving this? I'm guessing it is fairly close to a 50-50 vote, and it might shock a few folks if the NO-vote comes out ahead. I'm also of the mind that if NO occurs, that Schulz will pack up and retire.....as well will Merkel.
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