Merkel’s Would-Be Heir Prefers Free Democrats as Partner
- Liberals closer to CDU positions than Greens, Laschet says
- He rejects tax increases, minimum hourly wage of 12 euros
Armin Laschet.
Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The head of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party said he’d prefer to govern with the pro-business Free Democrats, rejecting higher taxes for top earners and criticizing the Greens in the buildup to Germany’s election in September.
Armin Laschet, Merkel’s would-be heir at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy, told Bild am Sonntag that his Christian Democratic Union is politically closer to the Free Democrats. He rejected central Green demands, citing proposals for tax increases, higher airfares, a 12-euro ($14.50) per hour minimum wage and speed limits on autobahn highways.