Strack-Zimmermann and Stegner shred over Ukraine course - "Put down your weapons"
Created: 07/20/2022, 14:53
By: Tom Offinger
There was an exchange of blows on Twitter: Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (left) and Ralf Stegner (right).
© Rolf Vennenbernd/Kay Nietfeld/dpa/Montage: merkur.de
German politicians are trying to pull together in the Ukraine conflict.
Now it came to a verbal exchange of blows between two experienced politicians.
Berlin - The ongoing war in Ukraine remains one of the defining issues in German politics.
After foreign policy was the main focus in the initial phase of the conflict, domestic policy is now also playing an increasingly important role.
With the help of an open letter, the FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann recently called for a "National Ukraine Conference" in which representatives from politics, the Federal Chancellery, the armaments industry, the trade unions and the Bundeswehr should take part.
The federal government rejected the request by the chair of the defense committee in clear terms: "We will not respond to the letter," said deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann.
Instead, the FDP politician received clear criticism for her request, especially from long-time SPD board member Ralf Stegner.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann against Ralf Stegner: Verbal exchange of blows on Twitter
"Open 'letters' from MPs to the federal government are not, but in reality press releases," said the North German on Twitter, unable to resist a small pinprick at his 64-year-old colleague: "Experienced MPs know that, even if they have only been there for a long time recently belonged to a government faction.” A reporter from
ARD
had previously
reported on the rejection of a conference by the federal government.
Strack-Zimmermann didn't let this sit for long and gave Stegner an unequivocal answer: “Oh Mr. Stegner.
If we only listened to new, inexperienced MPs like you, even if you haven't been in the Bundestag as 'long and experienced' as I am, Ukraine would now have neither a government of its own nor a chance for self-defense.”
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann against Ralf Stegner: the Ukraine war at the center of the debate
At this point at the latest, the war of words between the two experienced politicians could no longer be stopped, Stegner himself seemed to have exaggerated Strack-Zimmermann's "campaign" a little: "As always boldly returned - but unfortunately, as all too often, just missing the facts," countered the 62- year-olds snappy.
He himself meets many people every day who share his view and appreciate the level-headedness of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is currently spending his vacation in the Allgäu, said Stegner.
There was little sign of prudence when the FDP politician finally knocked out the Social Democrats: "I'll give you some experienced advice," Strack-Zimmermann began in an almost moderate tone.
“Less arrogance and more constructive factual work, after all you have a parliamentary committee of inquiry [Stegner has been heading the committee of inquiry into the Bundeswehr mission in Afghanistan for a short time;
Note d.
Red.
] to lead.
In addition, whistle less La Paloma if you yourself have always failed in executive offices and responsibility.”
also read
Erdogan lets Putin run ice cold - video causes malice: "The face is priceless"
Baerbock changes diplomatic tests – Union politicians suspect “green nepotism”
"Touché," Stegner then replied and admitted defeat, at least on the verbal playing field of Twitter - but not without accommodating a last dig at Strack-Zimmermann: "With so much constructive objectivity, I lay down my arms," added the SPD politician with a winking smiley.
Federal policy: Ukraine war also splits the political camps
Both politicians have very different opinions on the conflict in Ukraine and the associated military support: Strack-Zimmermann is one of the major supporters of the delivery of heavy weapons and publicly loudly criticizes Chancellor Scholz's cautious policy.
Stegner, on the other hand, is on the left wing of the Social Democrats and recently defended the government's prudent course.
(to)