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Corona lockdown: CDU chairman Röttgen is skeptical about easing - "Great danger that ..."

2020-04-25T19:23:28.624Z


Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized individual federal states as “too brisk” for the easing. Now Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer is pushing forward with a bold statement. 


Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized individual federal states as “too brisk” for the easing. Now Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer is pushing forward with a bold statement. 

  • Germany has been in the shutdown for about a month. 
  • Due to the Coronavirus * pandemic, strict contact blocks have been imposed on Germany. 
  • The first easing will come into effect on Monday, April 20. But just on that day, Chancellor Angela Merkel is backtracking - and warns of a relapse.
  • Here are basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany *. Also: the case numbers as a card *.


Update from April 25, 2020:

The

CDU foreign policy and presidency candidate Norbert Röttgen

sees the current

Loosening of the corona measures

skeptical: "I see a great danger that we have gone a step too far in the implementation," Röttgen told the

picture

.

"Only if we can bring the pandemic under control and keep it shutdown will we be able to control the health and social consequences, which are difficult to bear, but also the economic consequences," warns Röttgen.

He said that he should continue to act cautiously and maintain the security strategy: "The most important thing is that we do not weigh ourselves in the wrong security. I see a great danger that we have gone a step too far in the implementation. ”

"The pandemic is the source of danger and the shutdown is the strategy." Röttgen warns of too many people in the city centers when the shops reopen: "I am, naturally, afraid that what we are now seeing in terms of behavior may change reflected in the numbers for two weeks. "

However, Röttgen Chancellor Merkel praised her current political style: "The fact that support, approval for the Federal Chancellor has risen so enormously and is now so stable at a high level is due to the fact that the government has made good policies under its leadership Has."

He likes Merkel's clear and factual communication : “This political style is accepted, it has created enormous trust. We can feel encouraged to expect reality from citizens. ”

Corona lockdown: gastro opening already at the end of May? Saxony 

Update from 9:31 p.m .:  Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer considers a reopening of restaurants at the end of May conceivable. Gastronomy needs perspectives, said the CDU politician on Friday evening in the "ARD Extra" program on the corona crisis . "It is not possible now. But for the end of May I am definitely considering this here in the Free State of Saxony, ”said Kretschmer. Always against the background that the infection numbers are manageable, he added.

Kretschmer does not feel addressed by the criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) , who had criticized a part of the implementation of the measures taken by the federal and state governments to loosen restrictions. One had kept measure and middle. “People and retailers need perspective. We want to give them to them, ”emphasized the Prime Minister.

“We were all very disciplined with each other. We put out this fire and prevented worse things from happening, ”said the CDU politician . People are reasonable. "We worked it out together." Now you have to "get normal with the virus" as long as there is no vaccine . If you find that the infections "go through the roof very much," measures will be withdrawn somewhat.

Update from 7.25 a.m .:  Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) receives further criticism for her "too forsch" statement (see below)  FDP vice chief Wolfgang Kubicki now accuses her of "presumptuous office". Neither the Chancellor nor the Federal Government are responsible for combating the virus on site, said the Bundestag vice president of thePassauer Neue Press . This is a matter for the health authorities of the countries. The public appearance of Merkel on this topic borders on "presumption of office," said Kubicki.

For him, on the other hand, the time has come for further easing : The "massive impairment of fundamental rights" could no longer be maintained. The restrictions were imposed on the grounds that excessive demands on the health system had to be avoided. "There is currently no danger," said the FDP politician. Specifically, he demanded that all shops should reopen as long as "pack formation" could be avoided.

So far, the federal and state governments have been able to rely on enormous support from the population. However, the acceptance of strict corona virus measures is slowly waning. This is the result of a new Ifratest dimap survey on April 24th.

Corona: After Merkel criticism of easing - cities demand "clear perspective"

Update from April 24th : According to Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), it will only be decided on May 6th about further corona loosening . The German Association of Cities , however, calls for a "clear perspective" for this. It is true that "too brisk" should not be used, City President Burkhard Jung told the newspapers of the Funke media group . But there must be concrete prospects for opening playgrounds , for example

Jung said the debate should be held because the restrictions are strong. If the federal government and the federal states opted for certain easing measures or against it, they would have to “say in concrete terms which goals and standards they are based on”.

Merkel criticizes “to research” Corona loosening - Schwesig reacts

In a government statement, Merkel had criticized the first easing measures implemented in the federal states as "too brisk" and warned of a setback in the fight against the pandemic . She did not specify which countries she meant.

The Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig (SPD) , said that she felt "not at all" addressed by Merkel's criticism. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the state with the lowest coronavirus infections and is now "opening the way step by step", she said on the Internet show Bild live .

Corona: Merkel only wants to advise on easing the measures later than planned

9:29 pm:

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) wants to discuss with the Prime Minister again in May the easing of the corona measures in Germany. "We had an appointment for April 30th, and there is a lot to discuss," said Merkel in Berlin on Thursday evening. But statements about how the reopening of stores works, "we can only make 14 days afterwards".

The first stores would have opened on Monday, the last would open a week later. "We can then discuss these questions on May 6," said Merkel. "But there will also be other questions to discuss." She therefore assumes that there will be a telephone switch on April 30 and another one the following week.

Update of April 23, 8.09 a.m .: Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) considers Chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) harsh criticism of the discussion about further easing of the corona requirements exaggerated. "Of course there is discussion about the right way to open it cautiously," said Vice Chancellor t-online.de . The heads of state are "good discussion partners for the federal government". Merkel had spoken of "opening discussion orgies" , on Thursday she said the nation was on "the thinnest ice".

Scholz said: "We can quite frankly say that we are in a dilemma." The main goal remains not to overwhelm the health system, at the same time social and economic life must be started again. Scholz once again praised the countries: "The easing is well coordinated and there is no patchwork." However, he warned: "The danger has not yet been averted and any easing will have an effect."

Corona: Angela Merkel warns of another shutdown - criticism for colleague scolding 

Update of April 21, 9:09 am: Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized "opening discussion orgies " in some federal states exceptionally sharply on Monday . For this, the Chancellor must now not only face an outcry from the press - but also criticism from all ranks of politics - even from her own party. Union parliamentary group vice-president Carsten Linnemann said on Tuesday in the RTL "early start": "On the contrary: I think this country needs a debate about it." . That is part of democracy and that is the only way to build trust in politics .

Nevertheless, Linnemann remains on the Merkel course and criticizes the different ways of loosening trade in the individual federal states. Large furniture stores opened in some countries despite the restriction of easing to 800-square-meter shops. "This is called distortion of competition. He doesn't think it would be right if there were "clear hygiene rules, distance rules and mask requirements in the shops" and everyone could open it - "regardless of the number of square meters," said Linnemann.

Chancellor Merkels' "opening discussion orgies" statement was awkward - but she is right about the matter, comments Christian Deutschländer. The federal government is planning the next anti-corona package. In another industry in Germany there are now corona loosenings.

Corona: Merkel warns of another shutdown - "orgies" statement flies around your ears

Update from April 20, 7.30 p.m .: FDP leader Christian Lindner criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel's attitude to adhering to everyday restrictions. "I am firmly convinced that today health protection is possible with other means than in previous weeks," said the Lindner to the picture.

Although he respected the Chancellor's decision, he wanted to emphasize that there was no alternative. "We not only have capacities in the healthcare system, we not only have more masks and protective equipment, but above all we have a population that has a higher level of sensitivity." Given the need for protection concepts, the FDP chief therefore speaks in favor of opening up from catering establishments

Corona: FDP chief Lindner reprimands Chancellor Merkel for "" statement

Lindner also didn't like the Chancellor's choice of words. Angela Merkel had spoken of " discussion orgies " about the measures in the population. "The Federal Constitutional Court has already criticized official decisions against assemblies in individual cases," said Lindner. "At a time when even the Constitutional Court is asking questions about proportionality, there is no orgy when you also express doubts as to why and to what extent all this is necessary in this way."

Update 3:53 p.m .: This concludes the Chancellor's short press conference . Angela Merkel thanks the representatives of the press who are present and leaves the room. 

Corona: Merkel explains "discussion orgies" statement - call for "consistency and discipline"

Update 3:44 pm: "What exactly are you worried about?" The Chancellor is asked. You have the impression that a discussion has started since last Wednesday, which provides security that has not yet been given. One should not jeopardize the successful path that Germany has taken so far. As Chancellor Angela Merkel feels obliged to bring her position into the discussion. Her comment on the “opening discussion orgies” was meant as a warning. 

"Very thin ice": Angela Merkel with clear warnings to Germans

Update 3:42 pm:  One continues to move on thin ice, says Merkel, when she is asked about her statements about the “opening discussion orgies ”. They understand that there is an urgent desire in the population to return to normal everyday life. Nevertheless, the cautious way is now the right way. If the number of infections increases significantly again, tougher measures would have to be introduced again. A new shutdown would then be inevitable, says Merkel. "Preventing a setback is not only in the interest of fighting the pandemic, but also in the interests of the economy and a return to our normal social life."

Update 3:37 pm: "I will not let up on pointing out that we must continue to be consistent and disciplined" , the Chancellor repeats, citing the precise follow-up of infection chains as the most important step in the future. The federal and state governments will therefore take further measures to support the health authorities. Relaxation without better detection of infected people will not improve, the Chancellor concludes her short speech. 

Corona Germany: Merkel live speaks in Berlin - "We mustn't weigh a second in safety"

Update 3:33 p.m .: The Federal Chancellor demands that the scope that the individual federal states have in implementing the measures should be implemented as tightly as possible . The consequences of reopening stores would only become apparent in 14 days. Therefore, one must continue to be careful when deciding on further measures. The primary goal is to prevent the health system from becoming overloaded. 

Now Merkel is talking about the corona crisis in Germany

Update 3:31 pm: Now Angela Merkel speaks in the Federal Chancellery. "We must not weigh ourselves for a second in safety," says the Chancellor, demanding citizens to be vigilant and disciplined . "The situation we have right now is deceptive," added Angela Merkel. Germany now needs the strength for further hard and strict measures, said Merkel and summarizes the results of the press conference last Wednesday. 

Update, 3:27 p.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to go to the press in the chancellery at 3:30 p.m. Initial information about the Chancellor's announcements has already been leaked. Sick leave due to colds is still possible in the Corona crisis , even by phone. This was announced by the chairman of the Federal Joint Committee on Health Care, Josef Hecken. Chancellor Merkel had requested this as well as numerous medical representatives.

Update, 1:03 p.m .: In parallel to the press conference by Jens Spahn , Steffen Seibert is also informing at the government conference about the current corona situation in Germany . Accordingly, Chancellor Merkel will report on the Corona Cabinet talks in a further press conference from 3:30 p.m. 

Around 1.7 million people have so far been subjected to a corona test. Around 229 patients have so far been brought to Germany from abroad for treatment. The patients have so far been admitted from Italy, France and the Netherlands. 

Corona virus: Jens Spahn informs about loosening

Update 12:51: Before the cabinet meeting on Monday, Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) also dampens hopes of further relaxation of the corona measures. The decisive parameters for the further action of the Federal Republic in relation to the corona crisis are that the public health service and the medical capacities are able to cope with the consequences of the virus pandemic. 

They had the coronavirus pandemic * in Germany currently well under control and the infection could chains relate to that, so Spahn. But this traceability must also be given for larger numbers of cases. That is why the federal government wants to give the federal states a personal update - and a financial support program for the digital area. 150,000 euros should be made available to every regional health service at short notice and without complications. These measures are intended to help ensure that the number of infections does not increase uncontrollably despite loosening.

Merkel attacks her colleagues on the phone exceptionally sharply - Chancellor fears second wave

Update 11:59:  "We have not yet made it," said Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) said about the coronavirus pandemic in a switching conference of the CDU Presidium. The chancellor had sharply criticized her colleagues in the conversation and warned of a relapse. 

As the German press agency reports, citing groups of participants, the Chancellor is committed to strengthening the health authorities. Merkel therefore emphasized: "Our scope is very small." In some federal states, the easing of the measures from Monday, April 20, but apparently already discussed further openings of the lockdown. The Chancellor is obviously bitter. She was very worried that the good development in corona infections would be reversed because too few people would abide by the contact restrictions. The discussion about easing was not helpful.

Merkel postponed further discussions about easing to the date already scheduled for April 30th. Then the federal and state governments should enter into the next negotiations on how to proceed. What is more important, however, is how it looks a week later. Only on May 8th or 9th will you have an overview of how to progress in the economy and how it looks in schools. Merkel should also insist on the contact rules . She had made it clear that she was banking on everyone adhering to the existing rules. Nevertheless, the Chancellor is skeptical in this regard.

Coronavirus: Merkel fears relapse - "We haven't made it yet"

Hesse's prime minister and CDU deputy Volker Bouffier, as well as deputy CDU chairwoman Julia Klöckner, criticized the information in the SPD-led Rhineland-Palatinate , where zoos and shopping malls were supposed to reopen. The SPD also allowed party events to take place there again.

According to this information, NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet , who is also CDU federal vice, defended the further easing in his state. North Rhine-Westphalia is the land of kitchen builders, Laschet said among other things. Other participants said that Laschet fundamentally supported Merkel. The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia had announced, among other things, that furniture stores and baby specialty stores were to be opened as a first step . According to a report by the editorial network Germany, Laschet at the switching conference also opposed plans by Bavaria, among others, to lower the value added tax for the catering trade.

Other participants in the CDU deliberations said that, following the strict restrictions, a "race to loosen up" was now following in some countries . Caution should be exercised here, but country-specific solutions should still be possible. However, each country had to better justify the criteria for its decisions, otherwise acceptance would decrease and one would become reckless. Political leadership is necessary because it is more difficult to find the right time to reduce restrictions than to organize strict restrictions in a real danger.

At 3:30 p.m. Merkel wants to make a statement after the meeting of the " Corona Cabinet"

But the signs are in the coronavirus pandemic on marathon: Before there is no vaccine *, it seems the tenor, one cannot easily think of an unrestricted opening. 

Coronavirus: Merkel attacks her colleagues on the phone exceptionally sharply 

Update 10:22: Chancellor Angela Merkel is apparently worried about the coronavirus pandemic . Above all, she is concerned with the waning discipline when it comes to complying with the corona protective measures. The first easing of the measures will apply from Monday, but the blocking of contacts, rules on distance between citizens and other protective measures are still essential, according to the Chancellor, according to AFP information.

Accordingly, Merkel is currently "skeptical" and "worried". Merkel was quoted as having the impression that only loosening was being discussed. 

Analogously, she said: The first thing that matters is how the situation will develop by April 30, when the current protective provisions expire. The date of May 8 or May 9 is even more important - only until then will it become clear how the economy is doing and how school teaching is going to continue. Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier previously called for more unity in the corona crisis.

On Monday at 11 a.m. Merkel wants to discuss the current situation with the ministers in the Corona cabinet . However, new consequences are not planned, said Merkel, according to the information in the CDU Presidium.

Corona virus in Germany: Merkel attacks her colleagues on the phone with an exceptionally sharp attack

First report from April 20: 

Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has critically criticized the discussions about further easing of restrictions in the fight against the corona virus *. According to information from the German press agency from participants, Merkel made it clear in a switching conference of the CDU Presidium on Monday how dissatisfied she was that the message of cautious easing in some countries had led to "opening discussion orgies". This greatly increases the risk of relapse.

Merkel made it clear that she was very worried that the good development in corona infections would be reversed because too few people would abide by the contact restrictions. The discussion about easing was not helpful.

Shutdown in Germany: Merkel criticizes "opening discussion orgies"

The federal and state governments had agreed last Wednesday after almost four weeks of a break that small and medium-sized businesses with an area of ​​up to 800 square meters could reopen from this Monday. The details depend on the industry and state. In the first countries, school should start again on Monday and the days after for the final classes. The strict contact and distance rules should continue to apply at least until May 3rd. We have summarized for you what changes from April 20 and what remains. 

In Bavaria, however, there were calls from free voters for a mask requirement. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) counters live * at a press conference. 

Bavaria is the third federal state to introduce a mask requirement - we explain the background.

* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network. 

List of rubric lists: © dpa / Michael Kappeler

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-04-25

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