Language slips at Maischberger's show - Trittin refers to Angela Merkel as "Mrs. Merz"
After a video clip about Merkel attending Trittin's farewell in the Green parliamentary group on Monday, the talk show host posed a question to him: "You managed to convince Ms. Merkel to give a speech at your party. What do you have that Friedrich Merz doesn't?"
Trittin, visibly flattered, responded: "I'm not sure, you'd have to ask Ms. Merkel herself!"
Coalition possibilities for 2025
There was much laughter in the studio. "Ms. Merkel," Maischberger teased, trying to trip up Trittin. Trittin quickly corrected himself: "Ms. Merkel, I apologize!" He then explained that he had invited Merkel to convey a message of unity across political parties: "I invited her to show that open discussions can take place between opposing camps." Perhaps a potential black-green coalition?
A candid conversation
The Green Party praised Merkel's speech: "I expected her to deliver a professional speech without belittling me, and she did just that - it was a great experience!"
Trittin reflecting on their meeting: "I felt very appreciated at this parliamentary group meeting. I'm grateful for that!"
Apologetic recollection
Maischberger recollected a past incident: "You were asked if you had anything nice to say about Angela Merkel in 2013, and you said, 'Should I now publicly say that it's good when someone can be so deceitful?'"
Trittin's initial reaction was to smile, but he soon became serious: "Those weren't pleasant words. If I could take them back, I would."
Assigning blame
"That was during a highly contested election season when the Greens, especially the CSU, were deliberately attacking each other," Trittin muttered.
Admitting his mistake: "At that point in the campaign, I may have slipped and used a term that shouldn't have been spoken."
Maischberger wanted clarification: "So she's not a liar?" Trittin confirmed succinctly: "No."
Optimistic acknowledgment
"You took over the Federal Environment Ministry from Merkel," Maischberger pointed out. "At the time, did you think that everything your predecessor did was entirely wrong?"
Trittin answered confidently: "No, I never thought that. She wasn't a champion of green environmental policy, but she did promote environmental policy."
Green successes
Trittin shared the story of how the black-green coalition began: "After the Fukushima disaster, we came together in plenary to signal our agreement on the nuclear phase-out. It was the start of future collaboration."
"And we built upon that agreement, leading to other consensual decisions such as the Repository Search Act and the nuclear phase-out," he said, expressing pride at their accomplishments.
Reflecting on 2013
Trittin denied that a coalition with Merkel failed due to his actions in 2013: "The CSU sought a coalition with the SPD instead."
He also addressed the possibility of a potential Green candidate for chancellor: "We'll decide on that later, between Annalena and Robert, among others. I doubt there will be a heated argument before the election."
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Source: symclub.org
