Latest news with #CarstenLinnemann
Local Germany
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
Merz to set out plans for Germany in first Bundestag address as chancellor
Just over a week after suffering a bruising defeat at the hands of MPs, Merz is set to return to the Bundestag on Wednesday to give his first statement as Chancellor. On Tuesday, May 6th, the CDU leader initially failed to secure the votes he needed to be confirmed in Germany's top job, sparking an afternoon of closed-door meetings and recriminations. Though Merz snuck through on the second vote, the initial failed vote - a first in German history - has placed him under even harsher scrutiny. When he takes to the podium on Wednesday afternoon, the Chancellor will be hoping to answer some of these recriminations. Described by CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann as "one of the most important speeches this year", Merz will be setting out his plans for government, but also attempting to set the mood in the country. In a 45-minute speech at 1pm, the Chancellor is likely to detail some of the key projects he wants to focus on ahead of the summer recess in July. These include lowering energy prices to ease the burden on companies and new tax incentives to get pensions to stay in the work for even longer. When it comes to tax and bureaucracy, Merz has previously said that "far-reaching reforms are necessary." READ ALSO: How Germany's new coalition will affect your bank balance Also on the agenda in the coming weeks will be Defence Minister Boris Pistorius' plans to implement a voluntary military service scheme for the Bundeswehr. The SPD politician has been preparing the legislation behind closed doors and says it will be ready to be voted on this term. Migration - a key issue in the CDU and CSU's election campaign - is also likely to get a mention. Immediately after taking office last week, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) ordered tougher checks at the borders and the rejection of all asylum seekers , provoking consternation in neighbouring countries. Advertisement Another major focus will be foreign policy, with Merz putting global tensions and geopolitical events centre stage. A day after his chaotic election as Chancellor, the CDU leader set off on trips to Warsaw and Paris, and has since visited Brussels and Kyiv. "The world is in such disarray that a Federal Chancellor has to take care of foreign policy much more than in recent years and decades," he explained in recent days. READ ALSO: What's first on the new German government's to-do list ahead of summer? This means that any mention of the budget is likely to be left to Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, the co-leader of the SPD. According to a recent report in Handelsblatt , the government is likely to collect tens of billions less in taxes over the coming years than previously expected, putting Klingbeil in a difficult bind. Advertisement Steering away from the conservatives' Agenda 2030 election promises, a number of generous social policies were mentioned in the CDU/CSU and SPD's coalition pact - but these were all subject to financing. Amid hefty tax cuts and a weak economy, the new Finance Minister will have to reconcile this financial black hole with some bold promises on government spending.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ban on Germany's far-right AfD could backfire, top conservative warns
A top member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative party has expressed strong reservations about calls to ban the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), ahead of nationwide rallies in favour of the measure on Sunday. The AfD, which is Germany's largest opposition party, was earlier this month designated a "confirmed right-wing extremist" force by the country's domestic intelligence agency, an upgrade from its previous classification as a "suspected" threat. But the agency - formally known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) - announced this week it was suspending its decision, saying it would not use the new label until legal proceedings brought by the AfD are settled. The "confirmed" designation gives authorities greater powers to monitor the party. The events have revived discussions about outlawing the AfD, known for its anti-immigrant and nationalist platform. Carsten Linnemann, general secretary of the Christian Democrats (CDU), described such a move as "politically highly dangerous." In an interview with Sunday edition of the Welt newspaper, Linnemann said that leading legal experts believe a ban "would be very difficult under the current circumstances and that the outcome would be uncertain." Linnemann also warned the legal fight would be lengthy and that the AfD would likely exploit the situation to present itself as a victim. He argued that a ban would do nothing to address the concerns of the party's voters. He said if the new government revived the economy and cracked down harder on illegal migration, the AfD would be significantly weakened. "You can't ban frustration; you can only resolve it through good politics," he said.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Merz-Kabinett: Wer für welche Ministerposten gehandelt wird
NUR FÜR AFP-ABONNENTEN (NO RESALE) BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 1. 00:00-00:06 Schwenk von rechts nach links Saskia Esken, Markus Soeder, Freidrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil arrive for the press conference 2. 00:06-00:09 Abwärts-Einstellung Saskia Esken, Markus Soeder, Freidrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil during the press conference 3. 00:09-00:13 Abwärts-Einstellung Saskia Esken, Markus Soeder, Freidrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil during the press conference 4. 00:13-00:16 Abwärts-Einstellung press conference BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 5. 00:16-00:20 Totale Auswärtiges Amt 6. 00:20-00:25 Schwenk von oben nach unten Auswärtiges Amt 7. 00:25-00:26 Halbnahe Auswärtiges Amt BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 7. OKTOBER 2021 QUELLE: GERMAN POOL 8. 00:26-00:33 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFP 9. 00:33-00:37 Foto Johann Wadephul, MP of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is pictured at Paul-Loebe-Haus in the parliamentary compound in Berlin after parties found an agreement to form a new government, on April 9, 2025. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 12. MAI 2022 QUELLE: AFP 10. 00:37-00:42 Foto Leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz speaks to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (C) next to Johann Wadephul (C) , deputy of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader at their Bundestag offices in Berlin on May 12, 2022. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. MÄRZ 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 11. 00:42-00:46 Totale Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 3. FEBRUAR 2022 QUELLE: AFPTV 12. 00:46-00:48 Nah Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 24. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 13. 00:48-00:51 Schwenk von rechts nach links CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann arrives for press conference 14. 00:51-00:56 Halbnahe CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann during press conference BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 10. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFP 15. 00:56-00:59 Foto Leader and top candidate for chancellor of German conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz (R) and CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann attend the party's leadership meeting in Berlin on March 10, 2025. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 12. JULI 2023 QUELLE: AFP 16. 00:59-01:05 Foto Outgoing Secretary General of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Mario Czaja (R), leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz (C) and newly-appointed Secretary General of the CDU Carsten Linnemann address a press conference at the CDU's headquarters in Berlin on July 12, 2023. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 17. 01:05-01:09 Totale Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend 18. 01:09-01:14 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 26. APRIL 2021 QUELLE: AFP 19. 01:14-01:16 Foto A photo taken on April 26, 2021 shows the party's logo at the headquarters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Konrad Adenauer Haus, in Berlin. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 20. APRIL 2021 QUELLE: AFP 20. 01:16-01:18 Foto A giant logo of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party is seen at the CDU headquarters on April 20, 2021 in Berlin. KÖLN, NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, DEUTSCHLAND 2. MAI 2022 QUELLE: AFP 21. 01:18-01:21 Foto (L-R) Vice-leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Silvia Breher and leader of the CDU Friedrich Merz take part in a closed meeting of conservative sister parties CDU and CSU at the Flora in Cologne, western germany on May 2, 2022. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 8. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFP 22. 01:21-01:25 Foto Board Member of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Karin Prien arrives for the continuation of coalition talks between the conservative CDU/CSU party union and the SPD, on April 8, 2025 at the CDU's headquarters in Berlin. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 23. 01:25-01:31 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales; Dienststelle Gesundheit/Pflege 24. 01:31-01:36 Nah Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Dienststelle Mohrenstr) BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 8. OKTOBER 2020 QUELLE: AFP 25. 01:36-01:39 Foto Sepp Mueller, MP of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, speaks during a session at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) on October 8, 2020 in Berlin. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 26. 01:39-01:43 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Dienststelle Mohrenstr.) BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. MÄRZ 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 27. 01:43-01:49 Totale Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur 28. 01:49-01:53 Schwenk von links nach rechts Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur DÜSSELDORF, NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, DEUTSCHLAND 21. APRIL 2020 QUELLE: POOL 29. 01:53-02:01 Foto Ina Scharrenbach (CDU), Minister for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Building and Equality of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia speaks during a press conference on the situation amid the new coronavirus pandemic on April 21, 2020 in Duesseldorf. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 22. SEPTEMBER 2023 QUELLE: AFP 30. 02:01-02:06 Foto MP of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Andreas Jung speaks during a debate on the government's hydrogen strategy at the Bundestag, the German lower house of parliament, on September 22, 2023 in Berlin WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA 25. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 31. 02:06-02:13 Nah person using the Signal messaging app BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 19. OKTOBER 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 32. 02:13-02:16 Nah Deutsche Flagge WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA 25. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 33. 02:16-02:22 Nah person using the Signal messaging app BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. MÄRZ 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 34. 02:22-02:28 Totale Kanzleramt 35. 02:28-02:31 Halbnahe Kanzleramt BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 36. 02:31-02:36 Schwenk von rechts nach links CDU parliamentary leader Thorsten Frei arrives BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 31. JANUAR 2025 QUELLE: AFP 37. 02:36-02:41 Foto The leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz (LC) stands together with his party's parliamentary managing director Thorsten Frei (C) and Christian Duerr (R), parliamentary group leader of Germany's liberal Free Democratic FDP party during an interruption of a debate at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) focusing on immigration, on January 31, 2025 in Berlin. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 38. 02:41-02:47 Totale Bundesministerium des Inneren, für Bau und Heimat 39. 02:47-02:49 Halbnahe Bundesministerium des Inneren, für Bau und Heimat 40. 02:49-02:51 Nah Bundesministerium des Inneren, für Bau und Heimat BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 41. 02:51-02:57 Halbnahe CSU parliamentary leader Alexander Dobrindt arrives BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 14. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 42. 02:57-03:02 Schwenk von links nach rechts CDU and CSU leaders, Friedrich Merz and Alexander Dobrindt, arriving for press statements BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. FEBRUAR 2025 QUELLE: AFP 43. 03:02-03:04 Foto The leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz (C) is applauded by Bavaria's State Premier and the leader of the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder (L) at the start of the first meeting of their parties' parliamentary groups following elections, on February 25, 2025 in Berlin. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 10. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFP 44. 03:04-03:08 Foto CDU leader and top candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) shares a joke with Bavaria's State Premier and Leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder (L) and CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Dobrindt (C) during the leadership meeting of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin on March 10, 2025. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 45. 03:08-03:13 Totale Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung 46. 03:13-03:15 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 7. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFP 47. 03:15-03:20 Foto Politician of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party Dorothee Baer arrives at the Bavarian State representation in Berlin on April 7, 2025, as coalition negotiations continue between the social democratic SPD and the conservative CDU/CSU party union to form a new government. ---------------------- 48. 03:20-03:24 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 49. 03:24-03:30 Totale Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft 50. 03:30-03:32 Halbnahe EU-Flagge und deutsche Flagge auf dem Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft MÜNCHEN, BAYERN, DEUTSCHLAND 7. JULI 2020 QUELLE: POOL 51. 03:32-03:35 Foto Bavaria's State Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) arrives to attend a meeting of the Bavarian cabinet on June 30, 2020 in Munich, southern Germany. MÜNCHEN, BAYERN, DEUTSCHLAND 16. JUNI 2020 QUELLE: POOL 52. 03:35-03:39 Foto Transport minister Kerstin Schreyer (L), agriculture minister Michaela Kaniber (2nd,L), education and culture ministerMichael Piazolo (2nd,R)(Freie Wähler)and minister for social affairs Carolina Trautner (R) speak at prior to the Bavarian government's cabinet meeting on June 16, 2020 in Munich, southern Germany. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. MÄRZ 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 53. 03:39-03:45 Halbnahe Bundesministerium der Finanzen Eingang 54. 03:45-03:49 Nah Bundesministerium der Finanzen Eingang BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 55. 03:49-03:57 Schwenk von rechts nach links Saskia Esken, Markus Soeder, Freidrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil shake hands BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 26. FEBRUAR 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 56. 03:57-04:01 Halbnahe SPD's new parliamentary leader, Lars Klingbeil, during press statement 57. 04:01-04:04 Schwenk von links nach rechts SPD's new parliamentary leader, Lars Klingbeil, leaving after press statement BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 58. 04:04-04:10 Totale Bundesministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz 59. 04:10-04:13 Nah Bundesministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz 60. 04:13-04:16 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz RENNES, ILLE-ET-VILAINE, FRANKREICH 19. SEPTEMBER 2017 QUELLE: AFP 61. 04:16-04:20 Foto A picture taken on September 19, 2017 at Rennes' courthouse shows a statue of the goddess of Justice balancing the scales. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 23. JANUAR 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 62. 04:20-04:24 Schwenk von links nach rechts German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser arrives 63. 04:24-04:27 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. JUNI 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 64. 04:27-04:33 Totale Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales; Dienststelle Gesundheit/Pflege 65. 04:33-04:36 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales; EU-Flagge und deutsche Flagge 66. 04:36-04:39 Halbnahe Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 9. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 67. 04:39-04:46 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 8. MÄRZ 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 68. 04:46-04:52 Bildsequenz Statement BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 2. SEPTEMBER 2024 QUELLE: AFP 69. 04:52-04:55 Foto Top candidate of the social democratic SPD party for regional elections in Saxony Petra Koepping attends a press conference prior to an SPD party leadership meeting on September 2, 2024 in Berlin, one day after regional elections in the eastern federal states of Saxony and Thuringia. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 16. JANUAR 2023 70. 04:55-05:00 Bundesministerium für Verteidigung, Bendlerblock 71. 05:00-05:03 Bundesministerium für Verteidigung, Bendlerblock 72. 05:03-05:06 Bundesministerium für Verteidigung, Bendlerblock BRÜSSEL, BELGIEN 11. APRIL 2025 QUELLE: AFPTV 73. 05:06-05:09 Halbnahe German defence minister Boris Pistorius during press conference BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. MÄRZ 2021 QUELLE: AFPTV 74. 05:09-05:15 Totale Eingang des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit mit deutsche und europäische Flagge und Leute 75. 05:15-05:15 Totale Eingang des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit mit deutsche und europäische Flagge und Leute 76. 05:15-05:19 Nah deutsche und europäische Flagge SCHARM EL-SCHEICH, JANUB SINA, ÄGYPTEN 14. NOVEMBER 2022 QUELLE: UN CLIMATE CHANGE 77. 05:19-05:24 Halbnahe Svenja Schulze, Germany's minister of economic cooperation and development speaking during the event BRASÍLIA, BRASILIEN 30. JANUAR 2023 QUELLE: AFPTV 78. 05:24-05:28 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 11. NOVEMBER 2024 QUELLE: AFPTV 79. 05:28-05:31 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 28. NOVEMBER 2023 QUELLE: AFP 80. 05:31-05:35 Foto General view of the plenary hall as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses delegates at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) about a budget crisis on November 28, 2023 in Berlin. LONDON, GROSSBRITANNIEN 22. JUNI 2023 QUELLE: HOST BROADCASTER 81. 05:35-05:42 Halbnahe German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze speaking 82. 05:42-05:47 Halbnahe On stage, from left to right: UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, and Swiss president Ignazio Cassis KIEW, UKRAINE 12. DEZEMBER 2024 QUELLE: AFP 83. 05:47-05:49 Foto Germany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze gestures as she delivers a joint press conference alongside Ukraine's First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade in Kyiv, on December 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. SEPTEMBER 2024 QUELLE: AFPTV 84. 05:49-06:01 BERLIN, DEUTSCHLAND 25. SEPTEMBER 2023 QUELLE: AFPTV 85. 06:01-06:06
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
German parties remain confident of debt deal despite Green reluctance
Despite hefty criticism from the Greens, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU and centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are still counting on striking a deal to pass a massive defence and infrastructure spending package. Carsten Linnemann, the secretary general of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), said he expects negotiations over the deal to move forward with the Greens and a compromise to be found. The CDU/CSU and SPD struck a deal to relax Germany's strict balanced budget rules in order to spend as much as €1 trillion ($1.1 trillion) on defence and infrastructure in the next decade. But the votes of Green lawmakers will be essential to pass the deal, and the Greens have criticized a lack of climate spending and other details in the package. Linnemann on Monday described ideas put forward by the Greens as "constructive proposals." SPD leader Lars Klingbeil likewise said he expects to find a compromise with the Greens despite their initial rejection of the deal. "I am not giving up confidence that this can succeed," said Klingbeil. Klingbeil said he would seek talks with top Green Party politicians on Monday evening along with conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
