What are the main issues in Germany's federal election?
Article content BERLIN  The manifestos presented by the parties vying to form Germanys next government set out very different visions for the future of the country, and Europe, after Septembers federal election. At stake is the direction that Germany, Europes largest economy, will take after Angela Merkels departure as chancellor. In power since 2005, she plans to stand down after the Sept. 26 election. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video The conservatives promise voters stability and renewal in their manifesto. Their main rivals are the ecologist Greens, followed by the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD) and the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP). Trust. The conservative candidate for chancellor, Armin Laschet, highlights his experience governing Germanys most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. The Greens candidate, Annalena Baerbock, has countered that with the promise of a new start. FDP leader Christian Lindner also says Germany cannot rest on its laurels and needs to adapt to a fast-changing world. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The SPDs Olaf Scholz, finance minister in Merkels grand coalition, presents himself as a safe pair of hands. Much of the policy debate was framed when a top court ruled in late April that Germany must update its climate law by the end of next year to set out how it will reduce carbon emissions to almost zero by 2050. The conservatives want to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality in 2045, as does the SPD. The Greens are more ambitious and want to achieve neutrality in 20 years through a massive expansion offensive for renewables. The FDP references Germanys goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Climate policy, and how to pay for the adjustment to a cleaner environment, is closely linked to divisions over public finances and taxation, and feeds into policy towards the European Union. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The conservatives promise gradual tax relief and a commitment to Germanys constitutionally enshrined debt brake, which limits new borrowing to a tiny fraction of economic output but which has been suspended during the coronavirus crisis. It is unclear how they will ease the tax burden, a pledge that aligns them with the FDP, and keep a lid on the debt. The Greens want to lower the threshold for those paying the top tax rate of 45% and to introduce a 48% band for ultra-high earners. They also want to reform the debt brake to promote public investment. The SPD wants to help those on small and medium incomes and hike taxes for the top 5%. Both the conservatives and the FDP reject a debt union and want to ensure that joint EU borrowing to finance the blocs coronavirus recovery package remains a one-off. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Greens, by contrast, favor a common European fiscal policy to support investment in the environment, research, infrastructure and education. The SPD sees the recovery package as the basis for building new trust in Europe and has talked about taking steps towards a fiscal union. No party is on track for a majority on its own, so Germany will once again be ruled by a coalition after the election, though the SPD does not want to play junior partner to the conservatives again. The conservatives and FDP, partners in the past and aligned on important issues, would like to join forces but opinion polls suggest they will lack the numbers to form a government. The conservatives and Greens may have enough support to govern, but are at odds on a host of issues. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier may need to press them to resolve their differences. The Greens would rather lead a government with the SPD and FDP. The FDP has been cool on that idea, but may be forced to make a decision before the election if the Greens claw back support in the opinion polls. A conservatives-Greens-FDP tie-up is also possible, though talks on such a coalition collapsed after the last election in 2017. If the conservatives win most votes, Laschet is likely to be chancellor  with either the Greens, or FDP, or both in support. (Writing by Paul Carrel, Editing by Timothy Heritage)  Share this article in your social network        Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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