Foreign Affairs Commissioner
German Chancellor's Government Under Fire from Left Party Chairwoman
Ines Schwerdtner, Chairwoman of the Left Party, has criticised the current federal government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), in a recent interview with the "New Osnabruecker Zeitung." Schwerdtner described the first 100 days of Merz's government as a "classic false start, a fiasco."
Schwerdtner expressed disappointment that the government has not implemented any sensible structural reforms in areas such as pensions, work, or care. She also criticised the government's focus on defense spending, describing it as investments in "dead metal."
In addition to these criticisms, Schwerdtner accused the government of unequally distributing state funds. Large companies, she claimed, have received gifts instead of relief for the majority.
The criticism was not limited to domestic policy. Schwerdtner also criticised Merz's diplomatic efforts, stating that they have little impact. She criticised the meeting between Merz and US President Donald Trump for having no effect on tariffs, the Ukraine war, or the Gaza war.
Schwerdtner accused the SPD of submitting to the CDU in foreign policy and domestic issues. She specifically accused the SPD of making the harsher immigration policy and doing the "dirty work" of the CDU.
The federal government is also being criticised for its lack of effectiveness in foreign policy, although this fact is not explicitly stated, but implied by Schwerdtner's reference to the government's "fiasco."
Schwerdtner's criticism of the federal government extends to the distribution of funds. She accused the government of favouring large companies over the majority, stating that the funds were distributed as unequally as previous governments.
The SPD was not the only party to face criticism from Schwerdtner. She accused the government of lacking assertiveness in foreign policy, a criticism that was directed towards Chancellor Friedrich Merz personally.
The meeting between Merz and Trump is mentioned as a specific foreign policy event that was criticised by Schwerdtner. She criticised the government for failing to make any meaningful progress in resolving key international issues.
Schwerdtner also criticised the SPD for passing a pension law with a level of 48% as insufficient. This criticism highlights the Left Party's focus on social issues and their dissatisfaction with the current government's approach to these matters.
Despite having no high expectations for the government, according to Schwerdtner's statement, even those were not met, adding to the criticism directed towards the current federal government.
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