Germany's coalition talks are heating up as SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch pushes for incentives to boost electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

Miersch advocates for purchase discounts and leasing support to make EVs accessible to more people, emphasizing the urgency of climate action.

He also highlights the need to prioritize education infrastructure, suggesting funds from a recently approved €500 billion investment package should address issues like deteriorating schools.

Additionally, Miersch supports raising the minimum wage to €15 per hour by 2026, a point of contention with the CDU.

While he acknowledges potential cuts to citizen benefits, he insists these won't fill budget gaps.

Despite differences, Miersch praises the fair negotiation atmosphere with the CDU, though trust in CDU leader Friedrich Merz remains a work in progress.