German Coalition Tensions Surface at Twin Economic Summits

The German Finance Minister's Free Democrats are hosting an economic summit coinciding with one led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This highlights issues within the coalition government, comprising the FDP, Social Democrats, and Greens, as they jockey for positions ahead of the 2025 elections. Discord persists over communication and strategies.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner's Free Democrats (FDP) are organizing an economic summit next Tuesday, coinciding with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's meeting with business groups at the chancellery. Both events aim to tackle Germany's fragile economic outlook.

This dual summit underscores a growing rift within Germany's coalition government, where partners, including the Social Democrats and the Greens, are vying for influence as the 2025 elections loom. Recently, Economy Minister Robert Habeck, considered a future Greens chancellor candidate, introduced a 14-page economic strategy document.

Lindner, expressing discontent over a lack of prior knowledge about Scholz's summit, criticized the coalition's communication issues. Despite this, he emphasized his commitment to the coalition, suggesting that the FDP's event, focusing on small- and medium-sized businesses, complements Scholz's. Meanwhile, media reports indicate various industry associations are attending both events.

(With inputs from agencies.)