(de-news.net) – Neither outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) nor Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz (CDU) wish to collaborate in person after the upcoming Bundestag election. Merz has ruled out any role for Scholz in a future federal government, while Scholz has stated that he would not serve as Vice Chancellor under a Merz-led administration if the CDU-CSU wins the election, emphasizing his determination to be re-elected as Chancellor.

Merz told the Rheinische Post: “The combination of Merz-Scholz and Scholz-Merz will end on 23 February, regardless of the outcome.” Merz criticized the incumbent Chancellor, describing the current political situation as a “low point.” He asserted that Scholz is leaving the country in a deep crisis and is no longer involved by other leaders in Europe.

In an interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Scholz expressed his hope that he will lose the confidence vote in the Bundestag on Monday, with the Green Party MPs abstaining. Scholz advocated for a reform of the debt brake to allocate more funds for economic stimulation. He noted that Germany’s national debt is approaching 60 percent of GDP, which would place the country’s debt situation better than that of the other six leading industrial nations. Scholz argued that Germany can afford a bit more leeway without risking state finances. He emphasized the need for fiscal discipline, suggesting that expenditures should be financed not only through debt but also through higher taxes for individuals with very high incomes, a Germany fund to mobilize private capital, as well as a moderate adjustment of the debt brake.