One Year of Black-Red Coalition: Bärbel Bas Speaks of 'Struggling for Every Compromise'

One year into the "grand coalition" of CDU/CSU and SPD, Vice Chancellor Bärbel Bas has offered a candid assessment of the government's performance, admitting to "considerable tensions" and a "rocky" period. Speaking to Der Spiegel, Bas, who also chairs the SPD, did not shy away from describing the difficult compromises required to govern with a narrow majority amidst global crises. Her remarks underscore the internal struggles and the demanding nature of political negotiation within the current German government.

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In den vergangenen Wochen hat es ordentlich geruckelt

Bas's call for a "better discussion culture" within the coalition highlights a perceived need for more constructive dialogue among the governing parties. She specifically pointed to disagreements over the future of pensions, indicating that fundamental policy debates are ongoing. While acknowledging the SPD's willingness to compromise on issues like deregulation and social welfare reforms, she stressed that these concessions are not one-sided, implying expectations for similar flexibility from coalition partners.

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Deshalb ringen wir hart um jeden Kompromiss. Das ist zäh und manchmal auch anstrengend, aber es gehört zur Politik dazu.

Crucially, Bas framed the coalition's survival as a matter of national responsibility, directly warning that its collapse would play into the hands of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This perspective reflects a common sentiment among mainstream German politicians who view the AfD as a threat to democratic stability. Her commitment to fighting for the government's continued success, despite the internal friction, reveals a strategic imperative to maintain a stable, albeit challenging, governing alliance.

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Wir müssen uns alle mehr am Riemen reißen.