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Armin Laschet speaks of »can doer qualities«

2021-10-05T21:45:50.785Z


Politically, Armin Laschet has hardly achieved anything in the past few months, but at least: In North Rhine-Westphalia, his preferred candidate Hendrik Wüst will be his successor. Its rivals line up tame.


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Prime Minister Laschet, Transport Minister Wüst (archive): "The right candidate at the right time"

Photo: Federico Gambarini / dpa

North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Armin Laschet has proposed the NRW Transport Minister Hendrik Wüst, 46, as his successor.

He had advised the CDU state executive and the CDU state parliamentary group to make Wüst chairman of the CDU NRW and later to elect him as the new prime minister, Laschet said on Tuesday evening in the state parliament in Düsseldorf.

He had "met with a lot of approval" in the committees.

Laschet said that she was "standing in the middle of life".

"We want to continue what we have achieved here as a team, we have a state government that has always aimed not just to let one work alone, but to have strong ministers."

With Laschet's appearance in the state parliament, his farewell as Prime Minister begins, the change from him to Wüst could be completed in a few weeks.

"They were good years and I was happy to serve the country," said Laschet.

Wüst has been Minister of Transport since 2017, and is also chairman of the CDU SME and Economic Union in North Rhine-Westphalia.

He is to be appointed state chairman at the CDU state party conference on October 23.

He then has to be elected Prime Minister by the state parliament, the governing parties CDU and FDP have a majority of just one vote.

Wüst wants a "digital state"

Wüst commented on his plans in the state parliament that evening. "The protection of our climate and the preservation of creation is the greatest task of our time," he said. "We have accepted the responsibility to leave our children a land worth living in." This also means that North Rhine-Westphalia remains an industrial region, a state that guarantees prosperity, good work and social security. He wants a “digital state that is capable of acting”.

It was to be expected that Laschet would speak out in favor of Wüst. The transport minister has long been considered the most promising candidate, although he is not necessarily the logical successor. It was not built by Laschet, on the contrary, there is a lot that separates the two. Wüst is more conservative, Laschet is liberal. But this basic distance between the two is perhaps not the worst prerequisite for the successor after the failed federal election.

In addition, Wüst - in contrast to two possible competitors - has a mandate in the state parliament, which, according to the state constitution, is a prerequisite for becoming Prime Minister in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Most recently, it had looked as if North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul and Construction Minister Ina Scharrenbach were hoping for the top of the state CDU - and possibly also for the post of Prime Minister.

You can read more about Laschet's successor in North Rhine-Westphalia here: Hendrik Wüst, the smart guy

"Doing skills required"

Last week Laschet announced that he would hold talks with all interested parties in order to then make a proposal for his successor.

Last weekend he is said to have exchanged ideas with Wüst and the other two.

Laschet is also said to have talked to Lutz Lienenkämper, the NRW finance minister, who also has a mandate in the state parliament.

On Tuesday evening around 5:30 p.m., the CDU state executive came together for a special meeting.

Laschet announced his decision there.

According to participants, the digital session lasted only 15 minutes.

Laschet, who had met during the day in Berlin for exploratory talks with the Greens, was connected from the car.

He is alleged to have told the board members that »the ability to do things is required«.

Therefore, he suggests Wüst.

Someone from the committee said that the meeting was harmonious and peaceful, "even if you may not be used to that from the CDU these days." It is good that there is now clarity.

If Laschet had taken another two or three days longer, "the matter would have slipped away from him."

Several members of the state board commented on Laschet's decision.

Wüst "stands for the credible generation change," said the mayor of Essen, Thomas Kufen, who is also chairman of the CDU Ruhr.

Wüst "learned to fight for political issues," said Günter Krings, head of the NRW regional group in the CDU / CSU parliamentary group.

He is "the right candidate at the right time."

Scharrenbach gives in

Around 6 p.m. Laschet then appeared in person in the CDU parliamentary group in order to submit his proposal there with Wüst.

There was long-lasting applause, it is said from the group.

Construction Minister Scharrenbach recently emphasized that there were "many suitable applicants" for Laschet's successor.

Internally, she spoke out against Wüst and positioned herself in several interviews.

It is now certain that nothing will come of their ambitions.

Scharrenbach told SPIEGEL on Tuesday evening: "Everyone is gathering behind Hendrik Wüst."

Source: spiegel

All life articles on 2021-10-05

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