The corona pandemic has shaped our lives for more than a month. Will we leave the virus behind in the near future? Markus Söder has his doubts.
- Germany moves into the second stage of political measures in the Corona crisis *.
- In addition to loosening, new protective measures are also pending.
- CSU boss Markus Söder provides insights into the further timetable.
Munich - To a certain extent, the corona crisis is also Markus Soder's corona crisis . And that is anything but negative. On the contrary: the Bavarian father decided earlier than his counterparts to make considerable restrictions on public life, and the other prime ministers largely followed him. The CSU leader has long since given a face to the political decision-making powers, whose life-protecting measures the population clings to these weeks. It looks as if Söder is the captain, who has been successfully steering Germany through the pandemic so far .
And so the 53-year-old uses the crisis to sharpen his political profile and - no matter how much he refuses to do so - to position himself for the successor of Angela Merkel * in Berlin. Soder's rapidly increasing popularity values should certainly arouse desires. What definitely connects him to the Chancellor at this time is that she refrains from doing any fine painting. He is extremely critical of discussions about further easing . And counters this by realistically classifying the precarious situation. In all its drama. This can also be used to score points during the Corona crisis.
Söder in the Corona crisis: We have to prepare for life with the virus
In an interview with Focus Online, Söder is now dropping a sentence that many citizens may have guessed at, but may also have pushed away just as quickly. " Unfortunately, there will be no life without Corona for the foreseeable future," emphasizes the father of four, and concludes from this: "So we have to develop a strategy of how life with Corona * could look like . This includes intensive testing *. ”In the Free State - the state with the most registered infections - capacities would be doubled. Söder even speaks of "intensive series tests" .
At the same time, he points to the good experience with the restrictive measures in Bavaria: “For most of the key figures, we are now on the national average and thus better than some countries . Therefore our Bavarian way was consistent and correct. Our experts say: We saved the Free State from the worst . ”
Söder in the Corona crisis: fine for breach of mouthguard obligation
But of course the fight against the rapid spread of the virus continues unabated. With the opening of numerous shops, there is also a duty to wear mouth protection * - when shopping and on public transport. Söder announces at Focus Online: “There will be controls . Anyone who violates this must be prepared for a fine . In case of violation, 150 euros are due. ”Should employees in shops violate the regulation, up to 5000 euros can be claimed.
And what does mask refusers bloom in the bus or train? "In local public transport, for example, passengers without a mask have to expect not to be transported ," warns Söder, who also states: "In Germany, we are far from the so-called herd immunity . We therefore have it in our own hands: the longer we are patient, the better we can survive the Corona stress test . ”
Not without my mask: All federal states agree on the obligation to wear a face mask.
© dpa / Jörg Carstensen
Söder in the Corona crisis: fighting the pandemic will be a marathon
The native of Nuremberg speaks of a "marathon whose end we don't know" . Therefore, a lot of patience will be required on the way back to normal everyday life. At all levels. "It is therefore a matter of a well-considered process in which one makes careful relief with protective measures and analyzes how they affect the infection", Söder outlines the current tactic. "Reliable timelines are also important, otherwise we will unsettle people".
Many entrepreneurs facing an uncertain future are currently unsettled. Because they are still puzzling when their business will continue or to what extent. Söder does not want to rush here either: "We evaluate how the first stage of the openings affects the infection process, then we can talk about further steps and timelines."
Söder in the Corona crisis: "Can get through better than many others"
The party leader also praises political aid with a "massive rescue package" and programs "that no other country in Europe can shoulder. We may not be at a higher economic level after Corona than before, but we could get through this crisis better than many others . ”
The temporary drop in value added tax for catering businesses from 19 to seven percent is to be followed by further similar steps: “Generally speaking, we need tax cuts . Therefore, the abolition of the soli should be preferred - quickly and for everyone. That creates purchasing power . ”Söder doesn't want to waste any time here:“ The best thing to do is to get this on the way before the summer break. That would be a huge tax cut that gets the domestic market going . ”
Söder in the Corona crisis: "Need ideas and concepts to start the economy"
Basically, the CSU boss also calls for a look beyond the time of the extensive standstill: "We have existing programs to endure the crisis , but we also need ideas and concepts to start the economy afterwards ." the automotive sector ”.
Söder already has specific ideas for this: “The bonus should be staggered ecologically - according to the use of technology and emissions; and it would have to run until the end of 2021. ”And in an interview with Focus Online, he immediately follows an example:“ The previous help of up to 6,000 euros for electric cars ”could add another amount:“ That could be one Finance a 10,000 euro premium for high-quality ecological cars. ”Söder also recalls the climate policy aspect.
Because despite all worries and fears , the current climate change should not be lost sight of. Söder brings “special depreciation for energy and research ” into play here. And: "Research funds for artificial intelligence also urgently need to be increased."
Söder in the Corona crisis: "Preserving the economic and technological substance" important
Söder wipes away the understandable fear that the state could exploit the current situation for disproportionate economic interventions and refers to the shaky middle class. That was always the backbone of the German economy. “It's about preserving Germany's economic and technological substance . We have to look very closely at that, ”explains the Prime Minister.
Immediate aid would now have to be followed by “guarantee programs , loans and the participation of the state” in order to receive the so-called Deutschland AG - consisting of banks, insurance companies and industrial companies - which had actually been declared dead for some time. Söder uses the specter that is currently lurking behind closed borders: “ Participations are protective in order to protect us from unwanted takeovers from abroad . Paying close attention to this is vitally important for Germany's future. ”
Söder in the Corona crisis: Small businesses and solo self-employed are to be supported
Which also applies to the medium-sized companies already mentioned. That is why Söder clarifies in the interview: "We also need money for many small businesses and solo self-employed - for example artists who lose all their income, but who are extremely important for the identity of our country ."
The resonating message is clear: Just don't let anyone feel left alone in these difficult weeks full of privations and uncertainties . That is what Söder stands for.
We also offer information on the federal government's corona measures *, the symptoms * of an infection, the risk of infection * and the long-term consequences * of a disease to be feared.
In our news ticker for Germany and Bavaria we keep you up to date on all developments.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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