It's been a good year now: Christine Strobl surprised everyone.
"I don't like it anymore," the mayor suddenly announced.
The strong woman in town hall who also beat breast cancer - she had enough of politics.
Today she celebrates her 60th birthday.
In an interview with our newspaper, she reveals, among other things, what she misses from the town hall - and what not.
In addition, old companions insist on congratulating her on her birthday.
Ms. Strobl, there will probably not be a big birthday party.
I'm not that big of a birthday party anyway.
So it's not so tragic.
The children will come by, separately of course.
And then that was it.
But it's the 60th
For me it's a birthday like any other.
Sure, you have a 6 in front of it.
But it's nothing serious.
If it is possible again, we will surely catch up with friends.
You never believed yourself that you would get that old (laughs).
You don't get any younger.
And do you notice that?
I am still fit and do sports when I can.
But now I had a herniated disc again.
For the first few days I was only able to move around the apartment on all fours.
What hurts more, a herniated disc or the situation at the SPD?
(laughs) That depends, do you mean the SPD in the federal, state or urban areas?
Overall, the situation is not an easy one for the SPD.
I am hopeful that she will catch up in the covenant again.
At the state level, a lot will depend on who takes over the party leadership.
And in the city, we are no longer the strongest faction.
But we still provide the mayor.
And he's doing it very well, especially now in the pandemic.
So you are still following town hall policy?
Via the media, of course.
And I look around the town hall every day.
I also have contacts with one or two people in the town hall.
But it was important to me that I get some distance after my retreat.
It needs that too.
For me it is very important that you can make a cut.
And I'm not one of those people who hand out good advice from a distance without being asked.
Would you even feel like doing politics at the moment? Corona greatly restricts the scope for action.
I saw the crisis in my last three months in office.
I think it is a problem that contact with the population is only possible to a limited extent.
That is something essential for local politics.
And of course I've already taken part in savings rounds.
But of course that has become extreme.
Politicians will have to set more priorities when it comes to spending.
Are you missing something?
My employees.
I'm already missing them, we had a good relationship.
What are you not missing at all?
I don't really miss such endless sessions that are not very productive.
What are your plans for retirement, are you writing a book?
Everyone does that now, that's the bad thing (laughs).
I am not writing a book.
Many have stacks of files at home after their careers.
I do not have that.
I kept a political diary for 30 years ...
Oh interesting…
... yes (laughs).
But that's only for myself.
What a shame, what are you going to do instead?
I still do volunteer work.
And I want to do a lot of things that I didn't have time for before.
I would like to go to the theater again, I would also like to watch an exhibition in peace, not just go there, say greetings, drive again.
In general, I want to look at a lot of things in peace, also in Munich.
I recently went for a walk in Domagkpark.
You perceive what is changing in a completely different way when you have the time.
And there are many corners of the city where something is happening.
I would also like to meet my friends, acquaintances and relatives and cultivate these contacts better outside of politics.
Do you have something you would like to wish for a birthday?
I always want my family and I to stay healthy.
And not just with a view to Corona.
And I hope we can all get back to normal life soon.
Even if it will be difficult.
Here comrades congratulate the ex-mayor on her birthday!
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Mayor Dieter Reiter congratulates Christine Strobl on her birthday.
© Marcus sleep
“Christine Strobl was and is one of the very strong women in our city.
As mayor, she was the engine of the city's educational and social policy, the social face and heart of the city administration.
Most of the city's initiatives for educational and social justice over the past 15 years - and of course in sport and in a variety of other thematic areas - go back to her initiative and are closely linked to her name.
Personally, I miss our conversations in the town hall and your always clear attitude, regardless of the topic.
But every now and then we talk to each other on the phone or see each other.
We miss you, dear Christine, and we wish you all the more heartily a happy birthday! "
Mayor Dieter Reiter
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The former CSU leader Hans Podiuk was on the city council with Christine Strobl for many years.
He was elected to the committee in 1978, Strobl in 1990.
© Marcus sleep
“Christine Strobl is honest, if you agreed something with her, then you could rely on it.
One cannot say that about all of your party friends.
She has always straddled topics and pushed them on even without public accompaniment, she is a persistent worker in the gentleman's vineyard.
If the SPD had more of the sort, it would be in a better position.
For her birthday I wish her more serenity.
I think she may need that.
Because during her active time she was often very annoyed or too annoyed.
I also wish her a long and healthy life.
One thing absolutely requires the other, as I always say.
After all, the people on the Titanic were all quite healthy. ”
Hans Podiuk, ex-CSU parliamentary group leader.
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Ex-OB Christian Ude also congratulates Christine Strobl on her 60th birthday.
© Markus Schlaf
"You are our social conscience": Dear Christine, from your mother you learned how to stick to your feet, although you can cope with any social democratic debate, but never take off.
You wanted to make life easier and fairer for people who did not grow up on the sunny side, to organize help with a lasting effect.
You have seen for yourself what strokes of fate can cause.
And this has sharpened your focus on the essentials.
When you became mayor, it was clear from the start that you would keep the two huge topics of education and social issues and deal with them with all your energy.
For you, education has always been associated with fairness, and social issues always with closeness to the people who need help.
You were mayor for 14 years.
You kept the topics - and piled success after success in your factual way, without a spectacle, but with a long-term effect.
You worked through the resolution drafts of the administration thoroughly, not "let them read".
And earned its reputation as the “social conscience of the city”, not just claimed it.
Allow yourself the time for yourself now, which was far too seldom left in your grueling office, enjoy the time with your children - and let them thank you for your loyalty, especially for the cause that you have so consistently represented.
Ex-Mayor Christian Ude
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Hep Monatzeder values Christine Strobl's determination.
© Private
“Of course, I would like to warmly congratulate Ms. Strobl and wish her good health and joy of life.
When I think of Ms. Strobl, the following adjectives come to mind: determined, clear in what she wanted but also in what she didn't want.
And sometimes we laughed heartily together. ”
Ex-Mayor Hep Monatzeder
