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Merkel Coalition at Odds on Stimulus to Offset Virus Impact

  • Caucus leader says it’s too soon to talk about a crisis
  • CSU lawmaker raises prospect of making $56 billion available
A few remaining vegetables sit in crates in the fresh produce aisle inside a supermarket in Hanau, Germany, on March 2.

A few remaining vegetables sit in crates in the fresh produce aisle inside a supermarket in Hanau, Germany, on March 2.

Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
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Divisions within Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition were laid bare Tuesday when top officials disagreed publicly about the need for a stimulus package to offset potential economic damage from the coronavirus.

Ralph Brinkhaus, the head of Merkel’s parliamentary caucus, said it’s “much too soon to talk about a crisis” and warned against talking down the economy. That came just hours after Alexander Dobrindt, the deputy caucus leader and a member of the Bavarian branch of Merkel’s bloc, proposed using Germany’s budget surplus to fund a stimulus package.