The German coalition government faces mounting pressure to deliver tangible policy shifts, according to Lower Saxony’s CDU state leader Sebastian Lechner, who has issued a stark call for decisive action ahead of a crucial coalition committee meeting. Lechner, a member of the CDU executive, told “Politico” that citizens expect more than rhetoric; they demand concrete progress and demonstrable change.
“The expectation is that we actually act, decide, initiate something, change something” he stated, emphasizing the urgency for the committee to make decisions with meaningful impact visible within the coming months. This sentiment directly challenges the perception of the government becoming bogged down in less significant matters.
A particularly contentious area where Lechner demands resolution is the future of Germany’s automotive industry. He underscored the need for a unified stance toward the European Commission, lamenting a lack of commitment from the SPD parliamentary group regarding a framework proposed by Markus Söder. This framework reportedly addresses specific concerns within the automotive sector and its failure to gain full coalition support risks undermining Germany’s negotiating power in Brussels.
Lechner’s comments regarding internal combustion engines further highlight potential fault lines within the ruling alliance. While acknowledging the ongoing transition to electric vehicles, he insisted on maintaining licenses for hybrids and “range extenders” arguing that even highly efficient gasoline engines should remain permissible. His nuanced phrasing – dodging a direct confirmation as to whether this includes diesel engines – suggests a politically sensitive position, recognizing the volatile nature of the debate surrounding diesel emissions.
Beyond the automotive sector, Lechner also targeted the precarious state of Germany’s pension system, advocating for the introduction of “a new, capital-backed pillar in pension insurance, functioning similar to the Scandinavian model”. This suggestion indicates a shift towards more market-oriented pension solutions, potentially drawing resistance from those favoring a purely state-funded system.
Concluding his remarks, Lechner expressed confidence that the coalition committee possesses a unique opportunity to deliver meaningful results and cautioned against inaction. “Now we can simply make a decision. The chance is there – we just have to seize it”. His remarks implicitly criticize a perceived lack of resolve, framing the coalition’s current trajectory as a crucial test of its ability to govern effectively and meet the expectations placed upon it. The pressure is now on to translate rhetoric into realities, avoiding further erosion of public trust.
