Zwei Wirtschaftsgipfel am selben Tag - Mützenich: "Lindner torpediert die Arbeit des Kanzler" from

Two economic summits on the same day - Mützenich: "Lindner torpedoes the work of the Chancellor"

SPD parliamentary group leader accuses FDP leader of deliberately provoking confrontation

Lindner had previously rejected the planned relief package, calling it unaffordable

Berlin - Two economic summits on the same day: On Monday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to discuss with representatives from business, trade unions and the federal states about further relief in view of the high energy prices. At almost the same time, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is inviting experts to the Ministry of Finance to discuss the federal budget. SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich accused Lindner of deliberately provoking a confrontation. "Lindner torpedoes the work of the Chancellor," Mützenich told the "Rheinische Post". "If he holds his own budget summit in parallel with the Chancellor's summit, then it can only be his intention to sabotage the federal government's relief efforts." Mützenich emphasized that the relief package planned by Scholz was "urgently needed". Lindner had previously rejected the planned relief package, calling it unaffordable. "The federal government's plans are utopian and would permanently burden future generations with debt," Lindner told the "Bild" newspaper. "We need targeted relief, not a watering can principle." The Chancellor's summit is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Lindner's summit will begin at 2:00 p.m. It is unclear whether the FDP leader will attend the Chancellor's summit. The confrontation between Scholz and Lindner is not new. The two politicians have been arguing for weeks about the extent of the relief measures. Scholz wants to take on more debt to finance the relief package. Lindner, on the other hand, insists on adhering to the debt brake. Sources: * [Rheinische Post](https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/muetzenich-lindner-torpediert-arbeit-des-kanzlers_aid-75725261) * [Bild](https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/politik-inland/lindner-torpediert-scholz-hilfspaket-81395148.bild.html)