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Armin Laschet (CDU), Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia
Photo: Federico Gambarini / dpa
In the opinion of North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU), the CDU must be open to different sexual orientations.
"In 2020 it really doesn't matter who loves whom," Laschet replied to a journalist's question about a controversial statement by CDU politician Friedrich Merz about homosexuality.
"That is consensus in our society, and that is also the consensus of a modern people's party," said Laschet before the cabinet meeting at Anholt Castle in Isselburg.
With his declaration, Laschet reacted to the statements of his rival Merz;
both politicians apply for the CDU party chairmanship.
Merz was asked for his opinion on a homosexual chancellor on Sunday in the Internet program "Bild live".
He replied that sexual orientation is a private issue as long as it is "within the law and as long as it does not affect children".
For the comment, Merz also received sharp criticism from within its own ranks - for example from Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU): "If the first association with homosexuality is legal questions or pedophilia, then you should rather ask Friedrich Merz questions," Spahn said on Monday .
The federal CDU is currently also planning greater acceptance of gays and lesbians within the party.
A planned reform of the statutes envisages upgrading the Lesbian and Gay Union (LSU) to a so-called special organization.
The federal party congress still has to agree to this.
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mfh / dpa
