The Federal Constitutional Court puts the traffic light coalition under elections

The Federal Constitutional Court puts the traffic light coalition under elections

Berlin-The traffic light coalition faces a number of challenges that could not only influence their legislative work, but also the financial stability of the federal budget. In view of the upcoming Bundestag election next year, it is crucial that the coalition successfully copes with the outstanding legal clarifications.

Solidarity surcharge: a financial risk

A lawsuit against the solidarity surcharge could have fatal consequences for the traffic light coalition. Since 2021, only better earners and companies have been obliged to pay this surcharge, while it was abolished for 90 percent of taxpayers. The FDP MP, who drew in court, argue that the surcharge should have been completely deleted with the expiry of the solidarity pact at the end of 2019. The Federal Constitutional Court plans to make a decision this year. If the surcharge is tilted, this would mean a significant loss of income of 12.75 billion euros for the next federal budget. A possible repayment of the income has been even more serious since 2020 of around 65 billion euros.

Bafög in the crisis

In the education sector, there is also uncertainty. The traffic light coalition has already supported two BAföG increases in order to invalidate the pressure of student representatives and unions. Nevertheless, a pending lawsuit from a psychology student could amount to a fundamental decision by the constitutional court who criticizes the monthly requirement as too low. This judgment could not only influence the increase in the BAföG, but also set the fundamental standards for training funding.

Protection of the rights of membership in focus

Another risk area lies in the Heizing Act, which was slowed down last year due to inadequate maintenance of the rights of MPs. If the constitutional court agrees with the CDU MP Thomas Heilmann, this could have far-reaching consequences for future legislation, including possible constitutional complaints against the heating law. In addition, the court could determine fundamental principles for improved parliamentary advice.

Investigation committee: political tensions

The tensions within the Bundestag also rise due to the failed push of the Union to establish an investigation committee to a tax scandal at Warburg-Bank. The application was rejected by the coalition factions SPD, Greens and FDP. In particular, Olaf Scholz, who is involved in the affair as a former mayor of Hamburg, is the focus of the allegations. This situation could further endanger the political stability of the traffic light coalition.

conclusion: a critical phase for the traffic light coalition

Developments related to the solidarity surcharge, the BAföG and the rights of MPs show that the traffic light coalition faces fundamental legal and financial challenges. The decisions of the Federal Constitutional Court could not only affect the federal budget, but also shape the future design of legislation in the Bundestag. For the traffic light coalition, it is therefore of the utmost importance to navigate the upcoming legal clarification in order to ensure the stability of the coalition government.

- Nag