Government formation: Klingbeil and Linnemann spread purpose-optimism

Just days after Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) agreed on the final text of the coalition agreement, the first signs of tension have already begun to emerge. The differences are on key issues for the population, such as raising the minimum wage and reducing taxes for low and middle income earners — themes that dominated the election campaign and are now at risk of becoming sources of internal conflict…

Within the probably future black-red coalition of governments, discussion continues on an increase in the minimum wage. Meanwhile, CDU Secretary General Linnemann and SPD Chairman Klingbeil stressed commonalities.

In the SPD base it grumbles, Friedrich Merz irritates with statements about minimum wage and tax cuts - but in the report from Berlin the CDU General Secretary and the SPD head show optimistically that the black-red government is coming - and keeps.

The SPD praised itself after the coalition agreement for falling taxes at low incomes and a higher minimum wage of 15 euros. But now the designated chancellor Friedrich Merz contradicts and declares that both are not yet fixed.

Union and SPD reserve their coalition agreement for funding. Also the reduction of income tax, says the probably future chancellor. Much dispute should only be postponed.

Shortly before the SPD membership vote on the coalition agreement, the CDU boss says that there will be no "automatism" for less taxes or 15 euros minimum wage.