20 Cases of Beer and a CO2 Showdown: Ricarda Lang's Unusual Bet Against the CDU on the Maischberger Talk Show
It all began with a prediction by Ricarda Lang. She had previously expressed her concerns on the platform X, formerly Twitter: The Union primarily relies on the CO2 price for climate protection, which will make gasoline and heating more expensive from 2027. Lang's bet: When the European emissions trading is applied to transport and buildings from 2027, the CDU would soften this price mechanism again. Originally, she wanted to bet 5 crates of beer on it.
The Big Beer Upgrade
When moderator Sandra Maischberger addressed the Green politician about her bet, Lang did not hesitate. Instead of sticking to the original 5 crates, she spontaneously increased the stakes to a whopping 20 crates of beer! A clear sign of how convinced she is of her thesis. She added that such a retreat by the Union after all the talk of CO2 pricing would "honestly fool" people. Maischberger was visibly amused by the escalating amount of barley juice.
CDU Politician Thorsten Frei Declines
But what did Thorsten Frei, the CDU Chancellor's Office Minister, say to this boisterous offer? He simply waved it off. "I basically don't bet," he explained, thus withdrawing from the beer challenge. A pity, really, because such a duel would certainly have provided plenty of conversation!
The Serious Side Behind the Bet: Climate Protection and CO2 Prices
Despite the amusing bet, the discussion about climate policy remained serious. Ricarda Lang renewed her accusation that Friedrich Merz mentioned the CO2 price as the only climate protection measure and that this is "socially unjust." She fears that the price would have to be so high that it could cause social unrest. Thorsten Frei, on the other hand, defended the price mechanism. He emphasized the need for planning security for investments and referred to Scandinavian models. Citizens must have the choice when it comes to saving CO2, Frei said.
Background: The EU-ETS 2 is Coming
It is important to know: Starting in 2027, the European Union will introduce a Europe-wide CO2 pricing for buildings, road traffic, and other sectors with the EU-ETS 2 (Emissions Trading System 2). This system is intended to help reduce CO2 emissions in these areas by 42 percent by 2030 compared to 2005, thereby supporting the ambitious EU climate goals.
The Fate of the Beer Crates
The beer crates will therefore remain in storage for the time being, waiting for their use. Whether Ricarda Lang's bet will ultimately pay off and the Union will actually change its course, the future will tell. One thing is clear, however: This unusual TV duel has shown that politics can sometimes take quite unexpected turns!
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.
