In an open letter this week, 15 local politicians called for the immediate end of all corona measures.
The reactions are mostly cautious.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
– After 15 local politicians demanded the immediate end of all corona measures in an open letter and criticized what they called a “policy of intimidation”, the reactions from those addressed were moderate.
"The letter contains many things that I feel the same way, but also a lot that I would not put into words," says District Administrator Josef Niedermaier on request.
The "cohesion of society" is also a major concern for him, and he shares the concern about a split.
Niedermaier: "We don't think unannounced demonstrations are the right way"
In the letter, the district office is praised for not having issued a general decree against the walks.
Niedermaier makes it clear: "We don't tolerate that because we think unannounced demonstrations are the right way." Not to ban or dissolve the "walks" is the "most pragmatic way to avoid further polarization".
That does not mean that he accepts the "knowing breach of law".
In general, he misses concrete suggestions in the letter “how it could be done better”.
Niedermaier also emphasizes: "I do not assume that any political decision-maker aimed to annoy the population." Some decisions have also been corrected.
"But that takes a certain amount of time on a democratic path."
Urban: "I can understand that the frustration is very great"
The Green member of the state parliament, Hans Urban from Eurasburg, acknowledges that the local politicians put their points of criticism down on paper and that they stand by their positions.
"I can understand that the frustration is very great," says Urban.
"Everyone is done and just wants the pandemic to be over soon." From Urban's point of view, the fear mentioned in the letter can be seen on all sides: "Some people are about vaccination, others are about Corona."
As far as the Corona measures are concerned, there will be a review of the effectiveness of the individual measures in retrospect.
“Hardly anyone will deny that masks protect against infections.
The curfew after 10 p.m. probably did less.”
At the heart of the Eurasburger, however, is the question of a general obligation to vaccinate.
The Green politician does not consider this to be legitimate.
In his opinion, it would be better to continue to rely on a targeted vaccination strategy with the protection of particularly vulnerable groups.
Bachhuber: "All parliamentary groups supported the course"
The CSU member of the state parliament Martin Bachhuber emphasizes that all parliamentary groups except the AfD supported the corona protection measures.
"None of us have ever experienced a pandemic like this, and we have reassured ourselves with science," said the Heilbrunner.
A large part of the population also supported this course.
Politicians were forced to act.
Because previous corona waves would have brought the health system to the limit of resilience, as he knows from discussions with doctors, hospital managers and nursing staff.
He understands that the measures have met with anger among many citizens.
“And of course you can discuss this and that individual measure.
But overall I do think that the measures were right.”
Grasl: "Reject any blanket categorization of people"
The Münsinger town hall chief Michael Grasl has already written a reply - but not on behalf of all district mayors, whose spokesman he is, but personally.
In his view, the letter from the 15 "ultimately represents the concerns of the population as to how things will continue and when we can all live more easily and without constant new restrictions".
Grasl advocates differentiation.
“There are many shades in the attitudes of the vaccinated and unvaccinated, and I reject any blanket categorization of people.
Unfortunately, our society is currently tending towards that in this tense situation.”
He personally is “not a fan of silent walks.
Nevertheless, I respect that.” At the same time, Grasl says: “Politicians at federal or state level are not perfect either.
Some decisions would then be made differently than under pressure in the crisis.
I ask the question: What would have happened if politics had not reacted and taken no action?”
He, too, would like to see social cohesion growing again, more tolerance and even more openness.
"But from my point of view, this is only possible together."
Clear criticism from the organizer of the counter-demonstrations
On the other hand, Andreas Richter, one of the organizers of the counter-demonstrations for the “Monday Walks” in Bad Tölz, expresses clear criticism of the letter.
He poses the question: "Are people, up to and including a mayor, who knowingly commit an administrative offense and thus question the legal system that is the basis of our democracy, still bearable in their offices?"
He contradicts the thesis that the “walks” in the district were in no way infiltrated by right-wing extremists.
"I could immediately name ten Holocaust deniers who went along and did their recruiting there."
Richter also wonders what the letter is trying to achieve at this point in time.
"The clubs open on Friday," he cites as an example of the easing that has already been initiated.
"Besides, the world has other problems right now," says Richter, referring to the war in Ukraine.
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