Saskia Esken on Merz and Lindner: "Abysses we are looking into"

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SPD leader Saskia Esken in the top SPIEGEL talk with moderator Markus Feldenkirchen

Photo: DER SPIEGEL

For SPD leader Saskia Esken, "abysses" are opening up in view of the recent statements by FDP leader Christian Lindner and CDU politician Friedrich Merz.

About Merz, who is under criticism for a statement in connection with a question about a possible homosexual Federal Chancellor, Esken said that it was "the abyss into which we are looking".

She spoke at the top SPIEGEL talk with moderator Markus Feldenkirchen.

When asked whether he would have reservations if a homosexual man would become Chancellor today, Merz initially said curtly "no" - but then added that the issue of sexual orientation is of no concern to the public "as long as it is within the framework of the law and as long as it doesn't concern children - at this point, however, an absolute limit has been reached ".

Esken stated that Merz was "stuck in the past".

At the FDP party conference, Lindner made a joke about the former General Secretary Linda Teuteberg, saying that they usually "started the morning together".

He later apologized for it.

"Ms. Teuteberg closed her eyes because she was ashamed," Esken commented on the situation.

Even the way in which Lindner Teuteberg "sawed off" says something about his dealings with women.

"Mrs. Teuteberg closed her eyes because she was ashamed"

Saskia Esken

Esken criticized that in order to harm women or to criticize other paths in politics than in men.

She is in close contact with CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer about how we are dealt with, said Esken.

Esken spoke on a number of other topics, including a study on racism in the police force.

According to a SPIEGEL survey, a majority of the population considers such a survey to be necessary.

"It is necessary to deal with racist patterns," said Esken.

The police need "supervision and methods of internal guidance".

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and others - such as police unions - "react to these allegations with a reflex."

Esken said she wanted to "exempt the majority of police officers from this charge" - but that would require the study.

In order to get an investigation, "we in the government have to convince the interior minister, we will succeed".

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