Kretschmer for black-red 100-day immediate action program

The deputy leader of the CDU, Michael Kretschmer, expects a new black-red government to present a 100-day immediate action program with concrete measures as a starting signal. "It must quickly become apparent that things are changing here now," the Saxon Minister President, who is part of the core team for the coalition negotiations with the SPD, told the German Press Agency in Berlin. The consultations are expected to enter the decisive round this afternoon at SPD headquarters.

In economic terms, there will be a clear downward trend, said Kretschmer. "In order to stop or reverse this downward trend, we need to make decisions quickly." The 100-day program must also include "clear new political approaches to the topic of migration". Kretschmer said that Germany had been "the wrong driver" on this topic in recent years. "We have held Europe back in terms of a consistent refugee policy and consistent external border protection."

There must also be something in the immediate action programme on the subject of energy, because this is the problem "why we are currently experiencing deindustrialization", said Kretschmer. There must also be clear announcements in favor of investment decisions in Germany.

Coalition agreement before Easter?

In response to the question of whether there should be an agreement on a coalition agreement before Easter as a sign of the ability to act, Kretschmer said, referring to the financial package that had been agreed: "The signal is there." The agreement shows that CDU chairman and likely future chancellor Friedrich Merz and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil can come to an understanding and organize majorities. The negotiations with the SPD were "characterized by a common attitude: "We need a change in policy. We need to do things fundamentally differently."

Kretschmer: Budget in a current emergency situation

"This country is in turmoil, is economically at the end of its rope," criticized Kretschmer. "We have a recession. We have a budget that is in a real emergency situation." In the negotiations, he said, an understanding was needed: "How can this be turned around within one or two years?" Economic momentum and additional tax revenue must be generated and trust in democracy and the rule of law must be regained. "It doesn't depend on one or two weeks."