Horst Seehofer's daughter wants to go to the state parliament for the FDP: "Because I want things to move forward"

Created: 09/11/2022, 20:50

By: Christian Deutschländer, Georg Anastasiadis

The Seehofer family in Munich in 2009: "We often argued about content." © Astrid Schmidhuber

It is one of the most unusual personal details in state politics.

Susanne Seehofer, the daughter of the former prime minister, wants to run for the state parliament – ​​for the FDP.

The 31-year-old, married, mother of a daughter who is almost two years old, works at BMW in Munich.

She is applying for a mandate in Munich-Mitte.

On September 25, the party base will vote.

We met Seehofer for an interview in Munich this week.

Since you joined the FDP in April 2021, Bavaria's politicians have been puzzling over what you are planning and whether you will be drawn to the state parliament.

Will you tell us?

Yes.

I will apply as a direct candidate in Munich-Mitte.

But why for the FDP?

You have a family connection to the CSU...

Well, I hope you don't just vote for the parties your parents liked either?

I found my political home with the FDP - starting with the original Bavarian and original liberal principle "Live and let live".

I know that several parties are committed to this - but only the FDP embodies it.

She does not wallow in nostalgia and the past, but thinks in terms of opportunities and the future.

Nevertheless, the FDP is a shaky candidate.

There are safer tickets elsewhere...

... but my beliefs only in the FDP.

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Did the CSU come knocking to woo you?

Nice.

But it was never an option for me.

The CSU is not cosmopolitan enough for me.

Susanne Seehofer (31) during an interview in Munich-Mitte: "Then you'll do it now," said her father.

© Markus Goetzfried

Hand on heart: Isn't it also because of Markus Söder, who once hurt your father?

Not at all.

What do you think of Soder?

(thinks) I can say what I think of his politics.

Too little awakening, too much populism.

He muddles through the crises, always announces a lot, but hardly solves a problem.

And now he keeps pointing his finger at Berlin.

That contradicts our hands-on mentality in Bavaria.

What did Papa Seehofer say when he found out about it?

"Do you really want to do this to yourself?" He asked me after I joined the FDP.

Then later: "Yes, then do it now."

Has he given you any tips yet?

That politics is there for the people.

Never vice versa.

We have often argued about content since I was twelve - of course, otherwise we would be in the same party now.

But what I learned from him early on: Politics must have an honest interest in the little people.

Will he come to one of his daughter's campaign appearances?

That depends a lot on the frame.

Maybe at an event we'll talk about generations, about the major tasks of our time, sustainability, education.

You ask him for the second vote for you.

Sure, of course.

Did life as a politician's daughter - everyday life with dad's personal security, always spoken to on the street, always in the media - never put you off?

I know what I'm getting myself into.

The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages: being able to shape politics, making life easier for the broad center that holds our Free State together.

Do you have role models in politics?

Which FDP politicians do you like?

(thinks for a long time) Hildegard Hamm-Brücher.

She impresses me because she was so successful in this male-dominated politics.

And today: Ria Schröder, the former JuLi chairwoman.

She inspires me - a young, smart woman who has not only made a career in the party, but also brings a lot of knowledge from outside.

reality of life.

Is being a career changer an advantage or a disadvantage?

The FDP assembly meeting in Munich-Mitte must now decide that.

I think it's a big advantage.

In my job, I experience every day the effects of politics, the bureaucracy that is sometimes piled up unnecessarily;

that politics must not inhibit innovation in companies.

As a young mother, I feel every day what a challenge it is and where there are still problems in Bavaria.

Where do you stand in the FDP?

Would you prefer a wine with Kubicki in the evening – or Lindner?

Better a beer with Christian Lindner.

do you know yourself

Volatile.

Since the 2020 local election campaign, he came to Munich and motivated us.

What do you consider to be your greatest strength – and what is your weakness?

I think one of my greatest strengths is empathy.

creative will.

Weakness: extreme impatience.

I want things to move forward.

Interview: Georg Anastasiadis, Christian Deutschländer