Daniel Günther (l), Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein, and Friedrich Merz, Federal Chairman, (both CDU). © Georg Wendt/dpa
In the verdict of year one of the governing alliance of the CDU and the Greens, the differences between coalition and opposition could hardly be greater. Party leader Merz wants to attack the Greens more strongly at the federal level.
Kiel - CDU leader Friedrich Merz has certified the black-green state government, which has been in office in Schleswig-Holstein for a year, good work. The coalition could be seen just as much as the same alliance in North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz said on Monday evening in Kiel after a meeting with the state executive of the northern CDU. "I know that Daniel Günther and the Greens are governing very successfully in Schleswig-Holstein."
But state politics have different issues than in the federal government. "In the coming weeks and months, we will once again significantly intensify the dispute with the Greens and, above all, contradict the impression that we have always squinted to the left, so to speak, and say that we absolutely have to enter into a coalition with them at some point." He was grateful that he had found great understanding for his approach in the northern CDU, Merz said. The Greens in the federal government would antagonize large parts of the population.
Merz congratulated Schleswig-Holstein for the fact that the AfD does not sit in the state parliament. In the north, polarization does not take place in this way. "People are available for smart and prudent policies," Merz said. "Unfortunately, this is not the case in other parts of Germany."
The CDU and the Greens have made it clear from the outset that they want to forge a real alliance for the future, said Prime Minister Günther. "We want to become the first climate-neutral industrial country and create a balance between economy and ecology, we want to increase the acceleration of planning and approval, expand our pioneering role in digitization and continue to remain a safe and lovable country."
During a visit to an agricultural and energy company in Tüttendorf (Rendsburg-Eckernförde district), the coalition leaders attested to their alliance's unity and constructive cooperation. Host Martin Laß is engaged in arable farming and pig fattening, and uses a biogas plant to generate electricity and heat for the village and Gettorf next door. This is in line with the coalition's goal of becoming the first climate-neutral federal state by 2040. Accordingly, the heads of the government, parliamentary groups and parties also arrived in the hydrogen bus.
Despite major challenges and a difficult environment, the coalition ensures social cohesion, Günther said. The partners showed that they could work together despite different positions. This included compromises. The coalition is united in the conviction that the challenges posed by climate change can only be mastered if society supports the goals. "I'm looking forward to the next few years because the cooperation here is simply sensationally good."
"So far, we have always succeeded in finding good solutions with positive thinking, encouragement and goal orientation," said Finance Minister Monika Heinold (Greens). This will also bear fruit in the difficult consultations on the 2024 budget. "I'm very sure of that." If you have fewer resources for your goals than planned, you have to exchange arguments and look at things from all sides. "And that's what this coalition is made for."
SPD parliamentary group leader Thomas Losse-Müller attested to Günther's political failure and feel-good populism. "It's really just stagnation," he said. The government started weakly and then slowed down sharply. "Obviously, the most important thing is to maintain power."
Günther ducks away and does not face the big problems so as not to get scratched. He had spoken twice in this calendar year in the state parliament - as often as he had sung publicly at the Kiel Week. Instead of shaping politics, he talks as little as possible about them, practicing feel-good populism. "I am looking forward to the next four years with great concern," said Losse-Müller. In his estimation, people will realize that their trust in Günther is not justified. The country is missing its targets for CO2 emissions, 11,000 people have no permanent residence and over 2500 positions are unfilled. In addition, there was a shortage of 18,000 daycare places.
The people deserve better than this "weak government," said FDP parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt. Günther must now finally show leadership and make it clear where his desired alliance will lead the country. As a rule, the CDU and the Greens only managed to agree on the lowest common denominator. "This coalition is only held together by the common will to power." dpa