German abstention in decision on forced • Table.Briefings

Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) wanted to prevent the forced labor directive because it would create too much bureaucracy. However, 24 other EU states took a different view.

The EU ambassadors of the member states voted by a large majority in favor of a ban on products from forced labor. Berlin found itself in the minority for the second time this week. This fuels the debate as to whether Christian Lindner’s or Marco Buschmann’s uncompromising course serves German interests in Brussels.

It is difficult to pass a resolution in the EU Council without Germany, such is the voting weight of the most populous member state. However, Berlin has now been booted out for the second time this week: 24 out of 27 governments voted in favor of the ban on products from forced labor on Wednesday – only Germany, Hungary and Latvia abstained or voted against.

German abstention in decision on forced labor: ‘The FDP governs to block in the EU’

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