Traffic light end: Friedrich Merz wants "deals" with Donald Trump, Markus Söder wants SPD as coalition partner

manager magazine Traffic light end: Friedrich Merz wants "deals" with Donald Trump, Markus Söder wants SPD as coalition partner 54 min. • 3 minutes reading time After the traffic light end, the opposition is positioning itself: CDU leader Friedrich Merz wants to be more offensive in relations with the USA if he wins the election. And for CSU leader Markus Söder, the only possible coalition partner at the moment is the SPD. CDU leader Friedrich Merz (68) wants to represent German interests more strongly in foreign policy if he becomes chancellor and meet the future US president Donald Trump (78) on an equal footing. "We have to go from being a sleeping middle power to being a leading middle power again," the Union's candidate for chancellor told "Stern" magazine. "In Germany, we have never really articulated and enforced our interests well enough, and we have to change that. The Americans are much more offensive. It shouldn't end with only one side benefiting, but rather with us making good arrangements for both sides. Trump would call it a deal.” Merz cited the delivery of US fighter jets as an example: “Let’s be specific: we are forced to buy F-35 fighter jets from the Americans, but then they should be serviced by us and we will also get the necessary factories. That would be a good deal for both sides. I observe Trump and speak to many people who know him very well. They tell me: You have to face him with an upright posture and clarity." Merz accused the federal government of mishandling the US election, from which Trump emerged as the clear winner. The federal government should have prepared for his re-election. Instead, the Foreign Office unilaterally sided with Democrat Kamala Harris (60). "Trump has a good memory. The current federal government will no longer be heard by the new administration. Scholz is now a lame duck internationally too," said the CDU leader. Söder sees only the SPD as a possible coalition partner Meanwhile, CSU leader Markus Söder (57) currently sees only the SPD as a possible coalition partner for the CDU and CSU after an early federal election. "The only realistic chance at the moment is with the SPD without Olaf Scholz," Söder told "Bild am Sonntag". The CSU leader expressed skepticism about statements by FDP leader Christian Lindner (45) that he wants to become Federal Finance Minister again in a new federal government. "I respect Christian Lindner. But he also made a lot of mistakes in this traffic light coalition." He can only advise everyone: take your distance, take your time, take a break. "A return is never out of the question. But just carry on - I'm skeptical about that." Greens open to earlier date for new elections The Greens have meanwhile shown themselves open to an earlier date for new elections. "We Greens could also live well with an earlier date," said outgoing party leader Omid Nouripour (49) to "Bild am Sonntag". "We have done our work, we are prepared for everything," he continued. Nouripour defended the Greens' decision to keep their ministers in the government. "Germany needs a government capable of taking action. This stability and the oath of office are the main reasons why we did not say that this is all too stupid for us, we are leaving now." He had seen the end of the traffic light coalition coming for a long time. "We have known for over a year that the situation could break up at any time." Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (66; SPD) had declared himself ready to hold talks on a date for new elections on Friday. After the breakdown of the traffic light coalition on Wednesday, he had initially announced that he wanted to put the vote of confidence to the government on January 15 in order to make elections possible "by the end of March at the latest." The opposition, on the other hand, is calling for an immediate vote of confidence; Union Chancellor candidate and CDU leader Merz spoke out on Friday in favor of new elections on January 19.