As a parliamentarian, he was used to belonging to the ruling party.
Now Alexander Radwan (CSU) has to join the opposition.
How is the Rottacher doing?
We asked around.
District
- We reach Alexander Radwan on foot from Berlin Central Station to his office.
The CSU member of the Bundestag from Rottach-Egern has just taken the train back to the capital to pursue his parliamentary work.
Drums and whistles can be heard in the background.
“I secretly go to the Christmas market,” he says when asked, followed by a grumbling laugh.
“You're not allowed here in Bavaria.” In fact, he is marching past the Chancellery, where a demonstration is taking place.
“No police there, so no lateral thinker demo,” analyzes the 57-year-old.
Then it's about his new role as an opposition politician.
Mr Radwan, this Wednesday is a great day for you. You have the chance to elect an SPD chancellor. Will you?
Alexander Radwan:
(laughs)
Let's put it this way: I'll take part in the vote.
The time of opposition begins for the Union with the swearing-in of the new government. How does that feel to you?
Radwan:
It is actually my first time as a member of parliament to be in the opposition.
That is already unusual.
Does this also make political work more difficult for you?
Radwan: To
a certain extent.
Most recently, the CSU provided three ministers, so you had a short line.
When I look at the new cabinet and the state secretaries, it's not that you don't know the people.
The new education minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger from the FDP, for example, was chair of the finance committee, of which I was also a member.
So there are definitely good connections across party lines.
Will you continue to sit on the finance committee?
Radwan:
The members of the committees are not out yet.
In any case, I want to direct my focus strongly on foreign policy and accompany our new foreign policy chick
(that's Annalena Baerbock from the Greens, editor's note)
.
The enthusiasm with which she announced a course critical of China, for example, will be exciting to see how she will solve it.
What else do you think of the Scholz cabinet?
Radwan:
It's the classic system of proportional representation and quotas.
From the perspective of the parties, this is understandable.
The fact that the Free State of Bavaria has been forgotten, apart from a few subordinate posts, is bitter.
So you would have liked Toni Hofreiter from the Greens to be Minister of Agriculture?
Radwan:
(laughs)
We come - not only when it comes to the hairstyle - from completely different political corners.
(serious again)
No, it's also about content.
If you look at the coalition agreement, there are quite a few breaks in some areas that are already affecting Bavaria.
For example?
Radwan:
I don't see how procedures should be accelerated if the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan is discussed again in the dialogue process. The 2016 plan is an investment plan up to 2030, to which the municipalities in particular have also adjusted. In this context, I also consider the statements made by the Green Party MP Karl Bär to be critical of rethinking the road construction projects that he considers pointless. The presence in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan is the prerequisite for planning at all and for examining alternatives. If there is then no local majority in favor, the federal government will not simply push the measure through. In Bad Heilbrunn, Geretsried and Holzkirchen, where important infrastructure measures are pending, you get nervous.
The coalition agreement also mentions a conversion program for animal husbandry.
Radwan:
I see major cuts in our agriculture.
Because if, in addition to animal welfare, climate neutrality is the most important requirement in agriculture, then that means a significant reduction in the number of animals.
You will look in vain for a statement on financial support.
And one of the most sensitive points for our farmers is only hidden in tiny brackets in the last subordinate clause.
Tethering should be ended in ten years at the latest.
Details and differentiation in addition: Nothing.
What options do you have from the opposition to take countermeasures on issues like these?
Radwan:
The basic structure of the committees and parliamentary groups remains, but of course we lack the government apparatus behind it.
This means that we will have to spend more time and effort on counter-proposals.
We will support the government where we see fit, but also point out problems early on and point out alternatives: critically, but constructively!
How many years of opposition are you expecting?
Radwan: In
the first few weeks, the party leaders managed the traffic light in a very professional manner, but some party bases are rumbling again and the coalition agreement harbors potential for conflict.
We will see.
Our goal, of course, is to have the next government again.
Also read:
Radwan warns of supply shortages in clinics.
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