"That can't be true!" Mayor Koch on the G7 decision - and what she will do after the summit
Created: 06/26/2022, 16:27
By: Felix Herz
Elisabeth Koch on the grounds of the G7 protest camp.
Next to her is Wolfgang Tilgner from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district office.
© Sabine Dobel/dpa
The mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Elisabeth Koch, was not exactly happy about the news that the G7 summit is taking place again in Elmau.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen – After a long period of preparation, the starting signal for the G7 summit in Elmau was given on Sunday.
"Finally", quite a few local residents may have thought, because the start of the top political meeting also means that it will soon be over.
Elisabeth Koch, Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, will also have similar thoughts.
Now the CSU politician spoke about her feelings when it was announced that the G7 summit would again be held in the tranquil region of Garmisch-Partenkirchen - and what she would do after all the hustle and bustle.
G7 summit in Elmau: Koch shaking his head and being pragmatic
As the mayor told BR24live, her first reaction to the G7 summit being held again in Elmau was quite stunned: "That can't be true," the 59-year-old thought.
No wonder: for the second time in just seven years, the big and important G7 participants were to come to tranquil Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
A picturesque region in southern Bavaria - but not equipped with the infrastructure and the capacities to hold such a major event, say the many-voiced critics.
At the same time, she sees the situation pragmatically.
The federal government made the decision and “we have to accept it”.
In the BR talk show "jetzt red i" last Wednesday, June 22, she also pointed out that holding the G7 summit in Elmau was financially worthwhile for the region.
However, she would like to say clearly to the government: "Please consider whether this format is sustainable".
After the end of the G7 summit in Elmau: Koch with a clear plan
When the G7 summit ends on Tuesday, June 28, Elisabeth Koch already knows exactly what she will do: she will go to the pilgrimage church of St. Anton and make three crosses.
Then, hopefully, peace will soon return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen – while the politicians continue to Madrid for the next important event: the NATO meeting.
(fhz)
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