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Visiting program: Armin Laschet (left) and the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer
Photo: Sebastian Kahnert / dpa
North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) defended his participation in a gala concert for the 30th anniversary of the Free State of Saxony with 2000 guests in Aue.
"The rules in Saxony are different from those in North Rhine-Westphalia," said the CDU politician on Saturday before the gala concert in the Erzgebirge Aue stadium together with the Saxon state chief Michael Kretschmer (CDU).
In Saxony, the number of infections is much lower, which is why such an outdoor concert can be allowed there.
"It's not possible with us at the moment."
If the number of corona infections also fell in the West, easing would also be possible there.
"This is federalism in action," said Laschet.
He had been invited by the Saxon state chief Michael Kretschmer (also CDU) to give greetings at the concert.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 1000 people are only allowed to come together if the venue is not more than a third of the normal capacity.
In addition to the municipal authorities, the state must also give its consent.
The North Rhine-Westphalian SPD parliamentary group leader Thomas Kutschaty had therefore criticized Laschet's participation in the celebration in Saxony: "How credible is a prime minister who preaches water in his state and bans major events, but even drinks birthday wine at a party with 2000 guests in Saxony? "
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ele / dpa / Reuters