Overlapping dates: Karl Lauterbach cancels his visit to an important carnival event
Created: 01/07/2023 10:21 am
By: Johanna Werning
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach was actually supposed to take part in the proclamation of the Cologne triumvirate on January 6th.
But now he has canceled.
Cologne – SPD politician Karl Lauterbach will not take part in one of the most important carnival events in Cologne on January 6th as planned.
It was not until Tuesday (January 3) that the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee announced its participation in the 2023 Prince Proclamation - but a few days later the Düren-born minister backed down.
The reason for this was "overlapping appointments", which would make it impossible to come, explained Lauterbach when asked by the
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger
.
After the Corona dispute: Karl Lauterbach celebrates the proclamation of the prince in Cologne
Health Minister Lauterbach takes part in the prince proclamation (IDZRW assembly) © Carsten Koall/dpa & Beautiful Sports/Imago
The invitation came as a bit of a surprise anyway;
Around a year ago, Lauterbach criticized the Cologne carnival and the crowds celebrating there in times of the corona pandemic.
The so-called "PriPro", in which he should now take part, is a big carnival event in Cologne.
Up to 1300 people take part in the festive gala, where the triumvirate is lifted into office.
The festival committee only received confirmation of Lauterbach's arrival on Tuesday (January 3) - but now the minister will stay away.
And thus possibly avoids conflicts: Because there was trouble about a year ago, nobody forgot at the carnival.
The relationship wasn't always easy, Kamp said jokingly.
What is the Prince Proclamation?
► At the traditional carnival event, Mayor Henriette Reker hands over control of Cologne to the Cologne triumvirate.
► The Cologne triumvirate 2023 consists of Prince Boris I., Farmer Marco and Virgin Agrippina.
► The WDR broadcasts the Prince Proclamation.
Broadcast date is Sunday, January 8, 8:15 p.m.
The reason for the dispute between the festival committee and Lauterbach at the time: in the winter of 2021, the Minister of Health advocated that the carnival should be moved to the summer of 2022.
"I would actually prefer a summer carnival," said Lauterbach at the time.
Incomprehensible to the revelers: "It's a pity how little you know about carnival as a Rhinelander," began the Christmas letter from the Festival Committee President Christoph Kuckelkorn to Lauterbach.
It was only months later that reconciliation was achieved.
Lauterbach and Kuckelkorn met digitally and in a "friendly and constructive atmosphere", it was said at the time.
Cologne Carnival: Lauterbach and Bas here, Woelki unloaded
Not only Lauterbach will stay away from the carnival gala in the Festsaal Gürzenich.
NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) and Head of State Chancellery Nathanael Liminski (CDU) also canceled, reports the
KSTA
.
This is why Bärbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag, is present at the event.
After all, the SPD politician is even a patron.
However, one person will be missing from the prince proclamation: Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.
For the first time he didn't get an invitation.
The reason for this are allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church.
(jw)
