Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has sharply rejected ideas from CDU leader Friedrich Merz about a new election in the fall in the event of a coalition breakup. "Actually, I'm always up for humor. But everyone who loves our country, who appreciates the security and prosperity here, should be aware that times are too serious for party political games," said the Green politician Newspapers from the Funke media group. "Now we need Germany as an anchor of stability - for our own population and for our Europe."

Merz had mentioned September 22, 2024 as a possible election date in the newspapers of the Funke media group in the event that the traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP broke up prematurely. “The summer holidays would then be over everywhere, and with the state elections in Brandenburg, the day is already an election Sunday,” said the Union faction leader. The next federal election will not normally take place until autumn 2025. Politicians from all traffic light parties criticized Merz for his statements.

Baerbock now followed up. "Just as people are taking to the streets against the erosion of our democracy and against right-wing extremism, we as politicians have a responsibility to keep our liberal society and the institutions that support it stable, especially in times of crisis. Now we must all be constitutional patriots - in government and opposition, regardless of all legitimate differences on the matter," said the Foreign Minister. That is the shared political responsibility.

When asked whether she wanted to become the Greens' candidate for chancellor in the next federal election, Baerbock replied: "There is a time for everything. Even the answer to this question."