The traffic light coalition does not come to rest. In the meantime, the SPD, Greens and FDP have reached a final agreement on the form in which oil and gas heating systems have to be replaced from 2024. But the tensions that arose during the 30-hour coalition committee deliberating on climate protection are still having an impact.
The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil warned against a division of society through climate protection measures. “Climate protection must not be an elite project for people with money,” Klingbeil told the newspapers of the Bayern media group.
Therefore, ambitious climate protection also includes social balance. “People in the metropolises must also be careful not to turn up their noses at those in rural areas when they drive,” emphasized the SPD leader.
Where he comes from, there is no alternative to the car. “And that is the reality for a lot of people in Germany. We as the SPD will not allow city to be played off against country.”
The debate about the installation of environmentally friendly heating systems has shown what happens if you don’t take people with you “on the ambitious path to climate neutrality”. Many people were “massively unsettled”. It was therefore important for the SPD that the traffic light coalition in the coalition committee created social cushioning here.
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai made a similar statement. In particular, he called on Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) not to “contribute to a further division in society”, since climate protection “can only succeed with people”, he told the German Press Agency. “Climate Minister Habeck should stop looking for scapegoats,” said Djir-Sarai. According to him, the decision of the coalition committee ensures that the climate protection law will be transferred “from the planned economy to the market economy”.
Ex-Green leader Bütikofer: “Flail instead of foil”
Former Greens chairman Reinhard Bütikofer criticized the fact that Djir-Sarai “rather use the flail than the foil” in the political debate. “He probably suspects himself that this does not serve to establish the truth,” said the MEP to the Tagesspiegel. In addition, it is doubtful that the FDP would be able to develop additional potential voters in this way.
Previously, Habeck had complained in an interview with “Zeit online” that climate protection in the traffic light coalition “will no longer be possible in the transport sector”. The Greens in particular see themselves on the defensive within the traffic light coalition given the agreements made by the coalition committee.
In particular, a planned amendment to the climate protection law is causing displeasure among the eco-party. According to this, one sector will soon be able to compensate for the shortcomings of another sector with particularly high greenhouse gas emissions – such as transport – in terms of climate protection. The Green MEP Jutta Paulus said with a view to the Liberals: “What should be free market about the task of the sector goals remains the secret of the party, which counters market signals with a tank discount.”
Sharp criticism from the opposition
CSU General Secretary Martin Huber accused the traffic light coalition of “using a crowbar to protect the climate” because of its plans for oil and gas heating. “The traffic light plans are socially unfair and an irresponsible burden, especially for older homeowners,” said Huber.
He did not go into the fact that the traffic light compromise for the building energy law provides for exceptions and hardship regulations for owners with low incomes and for people over 80 years of age.
Huber sharply attacked the Greens: “Climate neutrality must not lead to poverty in old age, because green compulsion to renovate eats up old-age provision,” he explained. “The Greens have no respect for the lifetime achievements of people who have worked hard to save for their retirement by owning their own home.”
After the agreement in the traffic light coalition, the core principle remains that from January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be operated with 65 percent renewable energies.
However, there should be exceptions, transition periods and comprehensive funding. The originally planned replacement obligation for functioning oil and gas heating systems has been waived. (with dpa)
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Source: Tagesspiegel
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