Federal Ministry for Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) criticized CSU leader Markus Söder regarding his statements about the “relief premium”. Speaking to RTL and ntv, the SPD politician stated that Söder was part of the team that decided on the measure, and therefore she would not agree with his assertion that the premium was off the table. Questioned about whether Söder-who was also involved in the negotiations-would eventually make the final decision, Hubig noted that the outcome remained unclear. She acknowledged, however, that the project had been stopped by the Bundesrat, adding that a discussion was now needed to manage the situation.
In a broader sense, the SPD politician appealed for calm within the coalition. When asked if the coalition committee meeting on Tuesday would be a showdown-a test of whether the Union and SPD could still cooperate-Hubig responded negatively. She expressed confidence that the coalition could continue working together, despite the disagreements that exist. According to Hubig, the conflicts were sometimes necessary because they addressed structural reforms. Nevertheless, she also emphasized the need for their arguments to be quieter and more constructive, ensuring that the interests of both parties were properly considered.
