Short-term change of topic at Maybritt Illner on ZDF: Instead of the coalition, it is about the possible withdrawal of Armin Laschet (CDU).
Berlin – Change of topic this week at Maybrit Illner (ZDF): Instead of debating “Bridges, cliffs, red lines – coalition for the future wanted” as planned, it is now in a nutshell: “Laschet on the retreat – comes the Traffic light?”. The cast also deviates somewhat from the original plan, there are only four guests and Friedrich Merz (CDU) meets Cem Özdemir (B’90 / The Greens), the new member of the Bundestag Jessica Rosenthal (SPD / JUSO chair) and Melanie Amann (member of the Spiegel editorial team).
The brand new declaration by Armin Laschet to convene a party congress is recorded. A found, speculative space for all media. Fog not only about Jamaica, but also about its future, philosophizes Maybrit Illner (ZDF) and Friedrich Merz (CDU) keep a low profile: There will in fact be a party congress and thus a new beginning – with a newly elected board of the CDU. That was the message. No more and no less. And as long as the current board is in office, he is in office. After the federal election in 2021, there will be no transition without leadership.
Maybritt Illner on ZDF: Union pretty gutted in terms of content
It is a civil virtue to now dump the blame on you, an individual, explains Cem Özdemir at Maybritt Illner on ZDF. There would be more in the Union who could use this opportunity to question themselves whether they did everything right. There is one loser in the election and that is clearly the Union as a whole, agrees Jessica Rosenthal. The threat from Jamaica is not the question, but rather: How can they negotiate wisely on an equal footing?
In terms of content, the Union is pretty gutted anyway, she says with a shrug at Maybritt Illner (ZDF). But the biscuit has not yet been eaten, Cem Özdemir quotes Robert Habeck. Because in many federal states the Union still has a majority, so the Greens would like more cooperation one way or another so that the parties don’t stand in each other’s way, but on the contrary: shape this path together over the next four years.
Friedrich Merz makes a good face for the bad game at Maybritt Illner (ZDF)
Melanie Amann shows Maybritt Illner on ZDF that Armin Lachet has at least prevented him from being overthrown by calling a party conference. The hope in Jamaica is like a kind of life insurance for him: If it did happen, it might end up being a mini-government contract for him. The SPD won, the Union lost, Friedrich Merz makes a good face to the bad game.
| name of the guest | function |
| Friedrich Merz (CDU) | Member of the Bundestag, CDU finance politician |
| Jessica Rosenthal (SPD) | Member of the Bundestag, JUSO federal chairwoman |
| Cem Özdemir (B´90 / The Greens) | Member of the Bundestag, former party chairman |
| Melanie Amann | Head of the capital city office at “Spiegel” |
Among the provocative questions from Maybrit Illner on ZDF, whether the Union had the wrong candidate for chancellor, he goes back a long way, because in his opinion the mistakes began on October 29, 2018, when it was decided to separate the candidate for chancellor and party chairmanship. Because both tasks belong in one hand, he believes. With this decision they crash landed and can’t just go on as if nothing had happened.
Maybritt Illner (ZDF): Friedrich Merz loses calm with some statements
Maybrit Illner repeatedly speaks to him about his personal political ambitions on ZDF. But instead of discussing personnel issues, the content-related issues are actually much more important, Cem Özdemir tries to redirect the topic. Which government alliances can be formed? How far do the individual parties go in their areas of focus and how do they finance all of this? People shouldn’t think they are dealing with fools in politics, but rather with people who make sensible decisions.
2017 was the second worst result in post-war history for the Union. This year it was the worst, Friedrich Merz tries to keep his pragmatism with Maybritt Illner on ZDF, even if he visibly loses his calm with some statements by Melanie Amann. He would like to write the CDU larger than just using the word ME. In the case of the Union, too, it should be more about the content: the issue of refugees has not yet been dealt with.
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The ZDF broadcast Maybritt Illner can be looked up in the media library.
Europe needs to be talked about. And of course climate protection is also prominent, but it cannot be solved with national answers alone. Jessica Rosenthal is happy at Maybritt Illner on ZDF that so many younger people from other parties are new to the Bundestag who really want to discuss constructive content and want to change something. The SPD feels them – in relation to the CDU not difficult – as closed as never before. The common basis is their party program and it will never be the case that Olaf Scholz will sit alone at the table. Everyone needs solutions and not chopping up, she is convinced of that.
Maybritt Illner (ZDF): Is the traffic light coming or is there still room for Jamaica?
Not only must the color change in Germany, but also the way of governing, emphasizes Cem Özdemir at Maybritt Illner on ZDF. Germany was in the comfort zone for too long and now the country has to redefine a world with Erdogan, Putin and China. If it is possible to negotiate with these people on an equal footing, then it will also be possible to get agreements that will advance the country. When talking to leading companies, he rarely hears the name of the Union mentioned.
They are all now saying what the Greens used to be beaten for. Because they have understood that those who want to survive in a world market have to do something actively. There is no point in spreading gossip, disputes or personnel issues on social media: if the traffic light comes on or if there is still room for Jamaica, that is the essential question that needs to be discussed further. (Tina Waldeck)
