Anger about RKI boss Wieler: FDP suddenly in the traffic light crossfire - and even the Union agrees
Created: 2/6/2022Updated: 2/6/2022 4:25 p.m
By: Franziska Schwarz
Lothar Wieler (left) and Karl Lauterbach at a joint press conference.
© Wolfgang Kumm/dpa
What Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called a "communication problem" is a "miss" for the FDP: Now the traffic light coalition is arguing about RKI boss Lothar Wieler.
Update from February 6, 4:08 p.m
.: After criticism from the FDP leadership of RKI President Lothar Wieler, both the SPD and the Union faction in the Bundestag supported Wieler.
He had “achieved a lot and worked tirelessly during the two-year pandemic,” said SPD faction leader Dagmar Schmidt to the newspapers of the Funke media group (Monday editions).
The RKI is “scientifically independent and, with its expertise, is helping us to get through the pandemic well.”
The deputy leader of the Union faction Sepp Müller (CDU) told the
editorial network Germany
that it was clear that the communication of the RKI had to improve significantly.
"Regardless of that, Professor Wieler is a proven scientific luminary that we respect and support from the Union." On Saturday, the Greens had already taken Wieler under protection.
The background to the discussion is the sharp criticism from the designated FDP Secretary General, Bijan Djir-Sarai.
With reference to the shortening of the corona recovery status from six to three months, he had said that Wieler could no longer be sure of "the trust of the FDP" due to this "recent misconduct, which unfortunately is not an isolated case"
(see first report)
.
Wieler becomes a traffic light bone of contention – Greens shoot against FDP: “irresponsible”
First report from February 6
: Berlin – The traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP argues about Lothar Wieler.
The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) had received a lot of criticism for the shortened recovery status.
The FDP spoke of a "recent misconduct".
Bijan Djir-Sarai, designated Secretary General of the Liberals, told
Der Spiegel
that he had "great respect" for Wieler's achievements in the pandemic - but Wieler "can no longer be sure" of his party's trust.
Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt has now positioned herself clearly in the Wieler debate.
"His expertise, professionalism and steadfastness in the face of attacks from enemies of science deserve respect.
And I am very grateful for his work, far beyond what is obvious,” tweeted the Green politician:
Green health expert Janosch Dahmen also defended Wieler, tweeting that he deserves respect and thanks for his "tireless and professional" work.
“His expertise is invaluable.
Without him we would be in a much worse position today.”
Traffic light dispute about RKI boss Wieler: Dahmen criticizes the FDP
Addressing the FDP, Dahmen wrote: “Anyone who wants to govern a country responsibly should deal responsibly with their own executive.
'Counting' people in public is not only irresponsible, it's just not the way to treat each other!”
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was also criticized for the shorter recovery status after a corona infection.
He had admitted that there had been a "communication problem" between the RKI and its Ministry of Health.
In terms of content, however, the decision was correct, Lauterbach had confirmed.
Lauterbach spoke to the RKI at the weekend, albeit not quite as offensively.
He tweeted about a study on recovered immunity that supports the RKI assessment:
Chancellor Scholz also stands behind RKI boss Wieler
According to the “Tagesschau” (ARD), Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also backed the RKI President.
When asked whether Wieler still enjoyed his trust, a government spokeswoman said on Saturday: "Yes".
Djir-Sarai said to
Der Spiegel
last week : “The RKI cannot casually determine the shortening of the recovery period with the stroke of a pen and without any announcement.
This decision has an immediate impact on the daily lives of many people.
Optimum communication works differently.”
With effect from January 15, the RKI had surprisingly shortened the recovered status from six to three months.
It is criticized that this change was not previously announced by the RKI.
Many citizens lost their right to go to restaurants, bars or gyms almost overnight.
(frs with dpa material)
