In Germany, a discussion about easing the corona measures has flared up. There could be rapid changes in Saarland.
- Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) made a government statement on Thursday .
- The topic was combating the corona crisis * .
- This was followed by a major debate in the Bundestag .
Update of April 28, 9:26 pm: In Saarland , the exit restrictions imposed by the corona pandemic must be relaxed immediately after a decision by the Constitutional Court. The constitutional judges ruled on Tuesday that "there are currently no reliable reasons for the uninterrupted continuation of the strict Saarland regulation of the ban on leaving the apartment". This means that family encounters and spending time outdoors while maintaining the necessary distances and restrictions on contacts are now possible again.
A few hours earlier, the state government of Saarland had announced that the exit restriction should be relaxed from May 4. A spokeswoman for the court said in the evening that the constitutional judge's decision applies immediately. The Constitutional Court said that it knew "in accordance with the state government's plan" to relax the exit restrictions.
With the decision, the court responded to the urgent request of a Saarland citizen. The latter had lodged a constitutional complaint and requested an injunction against the restriction. According to the court, he saw his fundamental right to freedom of the person violated.
Update of April 28, 8:52 p.m .: The federal and state governments have agreed on a gradual opening of daycare centers . Children with special needs should have priority in care, according to a joint statement published in Berlin on Tuesday. No specific date for the return was given.
"It is up to the decision-makers in the federal states and municipalities to decide at what specific point in time the next stage of opening daycare and day care for children will take place," emphasized the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and the representatives of the federal states responsible for child and youth welfare. They justified this with the regional differences in the spread of the novel corona virus.
Some children should have priority in the transition from emergency care to regular operations. According to the resolution, this includes, for example, minors with special needs or children from cramped living conditions or from single parents.
In addition, the opening of playgrounds should be checked. The recommendations form the basis for a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merke l (CDU) with the prime ministers of the countries on Thursday.
Tübingen's Mayor Boris Palmer expresses drastic words about the corona crisis
Update April 28, 2:18 p.m .: The discussion in Germany about possible loosening of the corona measures continues. Tübingen's Mayor Boris Palmer and now expressed himself in drastic words: "I'll tell you very brutally: We may save people in Germany who would be dead in six months anyway," said the Green politician on Tuesday on Sat.1- Breakfast television.
Update April 25, 3:10 p.m .: Angela Merkel announced it in her government statement on Thursday (April 23): She finds the easing of the corona protective measures of some federal states too "brisk". The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) responded to this statement by the Chancellor in a current telephone call with focus.de.
Corona crisis: Söder reacts to Merkel accusations
He answered diplomatically whether he, like the Chancellor, looked skeptically at what was going on in other federal states: "There is close cooperation and great agreement between the Chancellor and several prime ministers," said Söder, without naming any name . "This is a prudent coalition. And each colleague does his duty to the best of his knowledge and belief, ”he added.
The corona virus, however, could not be impressed by either the federal government or the prime ministerial conference, which is why, in his opinion, political appeals and ignoring medical facts are of no use. Söder therefore advocates “a well-considered process in which one makes careful relief with protective measures and analyzes how they affect the infection. That is our political responsibility. And depending on the region and the extent to which this is affected, this can also be done differently, which is one of the strengths of federalism. ”
Corona crisis: ARD commentary reveals Merkel's “blind spot” - poll shows that she is right
Update from April 25th: Everything is all right - but didn't Merkel overlook one thing in the crisis? In addition to other critical press comments on the government statement by Chancellor Merkel (CDU) on Thursday (April 23), Kirsten Girschick from the BR also commented on this in a commentary on the daily topics on Friday (April 24). First of all, she finds praise for Angela Merkel advising the "top business and trade unions" on how to proceed in the corona pandemic. But then she draws attention to a "blind spot" from the Chancellor, which she had noticed for a long time.
Corona Crisis: Commentary on Daily Issues Reveals Chancellor's “Blind Spot”
“Minister of Finance, Minister of Economy, Minister of Labor, Minister of Health and Minister of Transport were there today. The family minister didn't. "This shows the priorities," said Girschick and above all: the "blind spots" of this government. "The economy is the sphere where the grand coalition wants to solve problems with a lot of money." For the time being, the commentator is quite understanding. Nevertheless, she also thinks of the families , because they seem to have to "see for themselves how they can get along" without political support at the moment, "with the job, financially and emotionally."
A possible relaxation of daycare centers, for example, will only be discussed next week. Then families have already had seven weeks in their home office and childcare at the same time. Anyone who has participated in this knows: "It is like brushing your teeth with Nutella." Girschick therefore advocates that the government should pay more attention to families. Because it is important not only how many companies can be saved after the crisis, but also how parents and children emerge from it.
Corona crisis: Despite criticism of government declaration - poll values confirm Merkel
Despite the critical comments on Merkel's government course, the Union has risen again in the Corona crisis according to the ZDF Politbarometer on the Sunday question. If there were a general election next Sunday, 39 percent of those entitled to vote would vote for the CSU / CDU. This brings the Union to its highest poll value in the legislative period and receives an increase of four percentage points of the vote. Angela Merkel also convinced with performance and sympathy and is ahead of Söder and Scholz in the survey.
Corona crisis: Merkel the extended arm of the RKI? The press is critical of the Chancellor's speech
Update from April 24 : Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has made critical comments in the media coverage of the government's declaration on the corona crisis . The Südwest Presse comments in a comment on Merkel's note that the elderly must not be forgotten: "That is indisputable, but then she added a strange thought: 'These 80- and 90-year-olds have built our country.'" , it says there. And further: "But is that the reason why we must not forget their suffering? Compassion for the elderly must never depend on this gratitude. It shouldn't depend on anything. "
Corona debate in the Bundestag as a duel for chancellor candidacy?
The Darmstadt Echo also classifies the debates in the Corona crisis as an "internal European duel for the chancellor's candidacy" - and judges: "Anyone who too obviously makes career plans about preventive care documents only one thing: That he - we are only talking at this point about men - better never to become chancellor. "
Press commentary on Merkel's government declaration: "Pure teaching does not help"
“Like the extended arm of the Robert Koch Institute,” Merkel said in her government statement, the popular vote says . She had "read the Levites" to the Prime Minister. It is indeed to be welcomed when politicians seek professional advice - "only the sheer teaching does not help with the extent of the corona epidemic," the newspaper writes.
With the catering trade and the cultural business , two important branches are currently "missing any perspective", it goes on to say. The lack of daycare for children is hardly manageable for more and more families - practical rules must finally be made: "Otherwise, permanent damage will remain even without infections."
"Too research": Merkel warns Prime Ministers - Germany on the "thinnest ice"
Update from 3:36 pm: Since March 23, the Federal Republic has been in the lockdown . But is this even necessary? Some scientists say: No. Is that correct? A fact check.
Corona virus in Germany: Hofreiter (Greens) swipes against FDP
Update from 10.25 a.m .: After thanking the employees in the health system and the cashiers for their efforts, the Green Group leader Anton Hofreiter defends the restrictions on business with the Infection Protection Act * . It is about not endangering and infecting people, "and this reason should also be available to you from the FDP". Applause in the ranks of the Bundestag. Hofreiter continues: "You should stop confusing your own freedom with the right of the fittest."
After government declaration on coronavirus in Germany - Bartsch (left): "It's crocodile tears"
Update from 10.12 a.m .: The chairman of the left-wing group, Dietmar Bartsch , discussed the failed contribution of the basic pension to the Bundestag in the debate . Nurses in particular, who are currently praised for their work in the corona crisis * , will later be dependent on the basic pension. "It is crocodile tears that make them cry," says Bartsch.
Corona virus topic in the Bundestag: Lindner reaps Lacher on the subject of mandatory masks
Update from 10.01 a.m . : Lindner then criticizes the mask requirement * . "Masks were first unnecessary, then virus throwers - and today there is a requirement for a mask," he says - and harvests Lacher. Lindner becomes sharp: "Laugh quietly, you have to listen to it anyway!" Many decisions are not "coagulated, scientific" knowledge, but political decisions and should therefore be discussed.
Debate in the Bundestag on coronavirus: Lindner (FDP) criticizes crisis management
Update from 9.54 a.m .: FDP party and faction leader Christian Lindner comes to the desk: "We have shut down our country and restricted fundamental rights like never before in Germany." The FDP had supported this. He turns to Gauland with "There are things that go beyond individual responsibility" and receives applause for it.
Then his tone becomes more serious. Now weeks have passed, you know more, he continues, and "the doubts about the proportionality have grown - and therefore the unanimity in crisis management ends today," says Lindner.
Corona debate after government declaration: Mützenich (SPD) praises Merkel's statement
Update from 9.44 a.m .: The SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich also praised the parliamentarians in his speech. He was proud that Germany showed no “anti-democratic reflexes” in this crisis and the Social Democrats wanted to continue to participate.
His group supported Merkel in the statement that Germany would only be well if Europe was well. He gets applause when he criticizes the "arms race". Enmities must be reduced in the crisis and he is convinced that they can succeed.
Gauland (AfD) wants to loosen coronavirus measures in Germany
Update from 9:37 a.m .: Now AfD parliamentary group leader Alexander Gauland has the floor in the subsequent Bundestag debate . He considers relaxing the corona restrictions * "not only economically necessary, but also health-wise" and refers to obesity, which is "widespread" in Germany, and warns of circulatory diseases or depression due to the quarantine. "These are questions, Ms Chancellor you can't wipe them off with discussion bans. "
Gauland's suggestion: Pensioners or high-risk groups could be given separate shopping hours or open restaurants or beer gardens under certain conditions, for example by "halving the number of tables and mask requirements * for the staff".
Merkel on the corona loosening of the federal states: "Not to say, to research"
Update from 9.29 a.m .: A European economic stimulus program * could support the necessary economic upturn in the next two years, Merkel announced. "We should think about making very different contributions to the European budget."
Update from 9.25 a.m .: Merkel now criticizes the implementation of the federal states of the corona loosening: "It seems to me in parts very research - if not to say research." But that changes "no iota" in that it is sovereignty supported the federal states with full conviction in the Infection Protection Act. “Our federal order is strong. Nevertheless, I see it as my duty to issue a warning. "
Coronavirus speech by Chancellor Merkel: "We are moving on the thinnest ice"
Update from 9:19 am : Merkel warns against recklessness : "We are moving thin, if not on the thinnest ice." The current infection numbers, even if they may be encouraging, reflect the situation from days ago. The Chancellor warns not to "weigh yourself into false security too quickly".
Merkel defended the WHO - indirectly also against Donald Trump's criticism. "For the Federal Government, the following applies: WHO is an indispensable partner. We support them. "
Government statement from Merkel to Corona: "Test, test, test!"
Update from 9.15 a.m .: "The experts tell us: test, test, test!" In combating the pandemic, Germany, in addition to increasing the number of intensive care beds and using nursing staff, had above all benefited from the test options - the virus will be defeated. Spread only with a vaccine, according to Merkel. It must be "available everywhere" for a virus that spreads in almost all countries.
Merkel on Corona: "We are not living in the final phase of the pandemic"
Update from 9.11 a.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) begins her government declaration. She praises the discipline of the people in Germany to comply with the Corona measures - and calls for confidence: "We are not living in the final phase of the pandemic, but still at the beginning." She emphasizes that she is still convinced that "These harsh restrictions are still necessary".
First report from April 23 :
Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) wants to explain her policy to deal with the Corona crisis * in a government statement on Thursday before the Bundestag . The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Merkel wants to deal with the situation in Germany * and in the EU .
Government statement by Merkel in the corona crisis: sensitive issue of corona easing
The Chancellor's speech is followed by a one-and-a-half hour debate by MEPs . The question of when and how the corona protective measures can be loosened again should provide a special source of ignition.
Merkel's federal government is acting in the corona crisis: housing benefit, parental benefit, climate protection
On Thursday, the MPs still have other templates for advice - such as the coalition's bills to promote further vocational training and climate-friendly reshaping of housing allowance.
The first reading also provides advice on easier access to parental allowance in the Corona crisis * . MEPs also speak about German participation in the EU Irini mission off the coast of Libya.
Markus Söder, meanwhile, gives an insight into the roadmap for business and the catalog of fines for violations of the mouthguard regulation.
How is the corona pandemic reflected in the death toll in Europe? This is the question that a study on mortality investigated.
dpa / AFP / frs
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Oliver Dietze