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In the criticism: Free-voter boss and Söder deputy Hubert Aiwanger
Photo: Stephan Goerlich / imago images / Stephan Görlich
For a few weeks now, things have been simmering in Bavaria between the CSU and free voters in corona politics. Now the dispute continues: Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has sharply reprimanded his Vice Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) and asked him to apologize for controversial statements in the corona policy.
In the discussion about possible political pressure on people who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus, Aiwanger had recently warned against an "apartheid discussion" and thus recently attracted a lot of criticism from the CSU.
Now Söder, who had recently remained silent, saw himself forced to intervene: These are "disturbing statements" that are inappropriate for a deputy prime minister, said Söder on Saturday at the district party conference of the Upper Bavaria CSU in Unterhaching near Munich.
Aiwanger should take back the choice of words and apologize for it, demanded the head of government.
In view of the criticism of his choice of words, Aiwanger had made it clear a few days ago that he felt misunderstood.
"I have warned that if we take ill-considered vaccination policies, we will deliver ammunition to those who oppose vaccination and get into an apartheid discussion," he said.
He did not mean to say that differences between vaccinated and non-vaccinated could be compared to apartheid.
The apartheid policy was an internationally largely outlawed action by the white minority population, especially against the black majority in South Africa, but also against other ethnic groups.
flg / dpa