“We’re Not Interested In Charming Trump, We’re Here To Face Down Trump”

The new “conservative” government of Germany.

Background: Germany is facing multiple pressing issues: support for Ukraine, a depleted military, high taxes, inflation, an energy crisis, immigration, among others. The previous German government, led by the Social Democrats (Socialists) & Greens (Marxists) was very unpopular and failed to address pressing issues. Chancellor and leader of the Social Democrats Olaf Scholz resigned. Elections resulted in no party and its near partner parties receiving a majority. So the CDU (establishment, think GOPe and RINOs), which received the most votes albeit not a majority, formed a coalition government with the Social Democrats and a couple other small parties with CDU leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor of Germany. They state they will continue most of the policies of the previous government led by the Social Democrats.

Just listened to an interview on the BBC with a CDU (“the conservatives”) member of the Bundestag (legislature) who is expected to be a cabinet member. The rundown:


BBC: “What happened earlier regarding the vote? (CDU leader and new chancellor Friedrich Merz failed a confirmation vote, the first to do so in German history, before being confirmed in subsequent voting; think Kevin McCarthy’s confirmation as Speaker)

CDU MP: “I think some people felt they were making a statement and didn’t consider the damage they were doing.”

BBC: “Were they CDU members?

CDU MP: “I can’t imagine anyone in our party that would have done such.”

BBC: “How did the chancellor react to such a rejection?”

CDU MP: “He was calm. Working. He’s very appreciative of the backing he received.”

BBC: “Can he charm Trump?”

CDU MP: “We’re not here to charm Trump. We’re here to face down Trump.”

BBC: “What are the main areas the government considers critical to focus on?”

CDU MP: “Support for Ukraine, stopping climate change, and protecting trade.”

BBC: “Your views on the AFD (populist right party)?

CDU MP: “They are extreme. The security services have deemed them so and they will be monitored as such.”

BBC: “You consider 30% of the German population to be extreme?”

CDU MP: “No, of course not. But history shows us that Adolf Hitler can be elected leader of Germany. And so we have to protect democracy by setting parameters to ensure proper outcomes.”