With Markus Söder, Angela Merkel is fighting against what she sees as premature easing of restrictions at the big Corona summit. She has declared that she wants to listen to the advice of the "Leopoldina". A mistake?
On Wednesday, 16 prime ministers and one chancellor searched for the timetable back to what NRW chief Armin Laschet called "responsible normality" after the country was closed. But what is normal in times of Corona ?
The new axis between Angela Merkel and her Bavarian ex-adversary Markus Söder is just as little as the fact that the most important decision for the everyday life of citizens in recent years has been largely guided by the submissions of a handful of experts, whose names hardly anyone ever has heard.
Corona crisis in Germany: Leopoldina suggests way - it is risky for Angela Merkel
So which way should it be that leads the country out of a standstill? A violent tug of war is programmed. The Chancellor is on the side of those who call for the greatest possible caution . Because Corona doesn't just decide about life. But also about whether Merkel goes down in history as a hapless refugee chancellor - or as the woman who successfully mastered the virus crisis .
Georg Anastasiadis
© Marcus sleep
In the end, the number of virus deaths is their balance sheet. But the Council of Experts called "Leopoldina", of whom Merkel promised to listen particularly carefully, has now proposed far more relaxed measures - such as opening schools to small children. This is unfortunate for the Chancellor. Because the one proposed by the Leopoldina is the more bearable way for the economy; for Merkel, however, the riskier.
Corona virus: 16 different trails from the pandemic?
It is most likely that each state - depending on how concerned (and the Prime Minister's political ambition) is - will find its own path from the thicket of the pandemic.
For Bavaria this means: While shops and DIY stores and garden centers can hope for relaxation and for older students, especially in the final grades , classes will start again from May, day care centers and primary schools will stay for a long time, as will inns. Alcohol consumption and the fight against corona are not very compatible. Everyone can figure out what that means for the Oktoberfest using the fingers of one hand.