In German politics, the liberal FDP and the Greens have begun informal talks about joining a coalition cabinet, led by either the SPD or the CDU/CSU. To prevent being played off against each other in negotiations, the FDP and Greens are now trying to bridge their differences as quickly as possible.
It depends on both of them whether they join the SPD in a ātraffic light coalitionā (red-yellow-green) or enter talks with the CDU/CSU about a āJamaica allianceā (black-yellow-green). The latter option was already considered unpopular in the initial polls, with only a minority of Germans able to become enthusiastic about Laschet as the future chancellor.
In the chancellor issue, Olaf Scholz is clearly in the lead, but now he faces two strengthened and thus confident party leaders ā Christian Lindner (FDP) and Robert Habeck (Greens) ā as counterparts.
In terms of agricultural policy, there are significant differences between the FDP and the Greens. They especially differ in their approach to the agricultural sector and all related issues. The FDP follows a model of free agricultural entrepreneurship but is beginning to loosen this stance somewhat. The Greens place great importance on regulation, both in livestock farming and crop cultivation.
Both parties have agreed to the drastic proposals and recommendations of the (former minister) āBorchert Commissionā but have different preferences regarding their financing. These also pose major stumbling blocks with both the SPD and the CDU.
Research shows that the CDU/CSU has lost votes everywhere, including among farmers. In 2013, 74% of farmers voted for CDU/CSU, in 2017 it was still 61%, but now only 48%.
Agriculture Minister Julia Klƶckner lost her direct mandate in her own electoral district Bad Kreuznach. Observers consider it impossible for Klƶckner to remain Minister of Agriculture.
It is not excluded that soon a minister from the Greens will again take up the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Berlin. In vice party chairman Robert Habeck, they have a man with relevant experience. From 2012 to 2018, he was deputy prime minister and minister for Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, and Nature in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Habeck is seen as the āRealoā wing of the party.
In any case, the German Farmers' Association is calling for the rapid formation of a government. DBV chairman Joachim Rukwied said that āfarmers need political clarity,ā referring to EU agricultural policy, climate measures, or more animal welfare.