It looks like a throwback to the worst times of the grand coalition: the heads of the traffic lights met almost all night. A political ritual that you actually wanted to leave behind. The difference from back then: While the GroKo was happy to decide on additional burdens for taxpayers and contributors, the SPD, Greens and FDP were already putting together the second relief package for the citizens. Times of war and crisis make this possible.

The party leaders certainly also had the state elections in Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia in mind. But there was no way around the relief package. The economic situation requires it. The recommendation to citizens to freeze for freedom is far from reality.

Each party has now got something. Families will be relieved, commuters get lower fuel prices, and at the same time local public transport will be strengthened. That’s a typical formula compromise, but not the worst.