As of: January 25, 2024, 7:03 p.m
By: Bernhard Jepsen
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Explained to the reception guests why “life is so good” in Peißenberg: Frank Zellner.
© Bernhard Jepsen
Peißenberg - As far as the list of speakers is concerned, there have been no experiments at the Peißenberg CSU New Year's reception for years.
It is clear who is speaking to the party base and the invited institutional and club representatives.
State parliament member Harald Kühn and district councilor Alexandra Bertl are allowed to say a few words and of course Mayor Frank Zellner.
The “main act” is reserved for Alexander Dobrindt every year.
For the CSU regional group leader in the Bundestag, the New Year's receptions in Peißenberg are home games.
There he chats easily and relaxed.
“My God, I’m glad to live in Peißenberg,” Dobrindt explained to the reception guests in the foyer of the Tiefstollenhalle this year: “It’s simply beautiful in Bavaria.
We live in a region where a lot of things are fine.” This is mainly because people get involved with joy and commitment.
The statement was, of course, a joke for the reception guests.
In this context, Dobrindt also packaged a political message: In order to preserve prosperity, there must be a general willingness to work more.
But: “More work must also be more worthwhile.” Regarding the traffic light government's heating law, Dobrindt questioned its success in terms of climate technology.
“Force is also the wrong means”.
If a house is inherited, then you can talk about heating conversions.
The costs could then be deducted from inheritance tax.
Of course, the farmers also got their cuddles in Dobrindt's speech.
The farmers would ensure the local production of food and thus create value in the region.
Dobrindt found clear words about the importance of the upcoming European elections: “It concerns us all.
It is incredibly important.” It is “tremendous luck” to be able to live together peacefully in a united Europe.
“Europe is something wonderful,” emphasized Dobrindt – and in the direction of the AfD: “With the best will in the world, I cannot understand how anyone wants to leave the EU, abolish the euro and get closer to Putin.
Unfortunately, there are too many people in this country who believe they have to destroy something.”
Before Dobrindt's speech, Frank Zellner, who was praised by Harald Kühn as "busy as a bee" and "highly competent", outlined why life is "so good" in Peißenberg.
The town hall boss referred to social components (introduction of a cooperative building land model, gift table, intercultural meeting, etc.), to the “well-maintained landscape” by the farmers and to the many leisure activities on site with the Rigi-Rutsch'n as a “highlight”.
Zellner stated that the district would continue to modernize the Peißenberg secondary school despite the financial crisis: “That is very important for us.”
Speaking of the district: Andrea Jochner-Weiß was missing from the New Year's reception.
The CSU district administrator was in Berlin for the Green Week.
The reception guests therefore did not hear any explanations about the situation of the hospital GmbH or the budget situation in the district - or almost none.
Frank Zellner thanked the district administrator that the district levy for the communities would only increase from 54 to 55 percent “after intensive and objective discussions”.
“So it won’t be 58 or even 60 percent.
Thank you for your understanding,” said Zellner.
“Full overview of the situation in the district”
As CSU regional group leader in Berlin, Alexander Dobrindt is an influential and busy top politician.
His schedule is full.
The program also includes trips abroad to crisis regions such as the Gazza Strip or Ukraine.
Is there still time to deal with local politics as CSU district association chairman?
Very well: “I have a full eye on the situation in the district,” explained Dobrindt on the sidelines of the New Year’s reception.
And what about the preparations for the 2026 local elections?
“The schedule is set,” Dobrindt revealed - without giving any further details: “Theoretically, I could do that.
But I don’t want it to be in the newspaper.”
There will be a conversation with District Administrator Andrea Jochner-Weiß over the course of the year.
And what if she doesn't run for another term?
There has been speculation about potential successors for a long time, including Eberfing's mayor Georg Leis and Peißenberg's town hall boss Frank Zellner.
There is no statement from Dobrindt on this: “I don’t want to have a debate about it.” The CSU district leader sees the 2026 local elections as a “challenge”: “But I am absolutely confident.” After all, the district is a prosperous growth region.