As of: January 29, 2024, 5:14 a.m
By: Hannes Niemeyer
Comments
Press
Split
Who will be the Union’s candidate for chancellor?
At a carnival event, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock couldn't resist making a satirical comment about this.
Aachen – The carnival season is in full swing.
And this year too, politicians around the federal government will probably have to endure one or two satirical scoldings on the parade float again because of the chaotic budget debate or the endless discussions about citizens' money.
But political celebrities are also allowed to let off steam on stage during this foolish time - including mutual satirical tips.
Traditionally, this happens when the medal is awarded, contrary to the animal seriousness of the Aachen carnival club.
Since 1950, the Order Against Animal Seriousness has honored national and international personalities who demonstrate humor and humanity in their positions.
In 2023, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was awarded this award.
This year the prize goes to the far north: to Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther.
K question in the Union: Baerbock takes the lead – “Expect a Günther and get a Söder”
As last year's award winner, Baerbock was there - after a trip to Africa including an unplanned stay in Saudi Arabia - and awarded the medal to her successor.
In their laudatory speech, some political colleagues got rid of their fat.
Baerbock also couldn't resist making a harsh comment on the chancellor issue in Günther's party, the CDU, and its sister party, the CSU.
Baerbock provided entertainment at the carnival - including a K-Question tip against Markus Söder.
© dpa/Thomas Banneyer + dpa/Daniel Vogl (montage)
She is already thinking “of the sad eyes of the many people in our country who are expecting a Günther and getting a Söder on the Union’s K question next year.”
She also had praise for her successor as medal recipient: “Some of the finest things in our country come from Eckernförde: schnapps, herring, the Baltic Sea coast and Daniel Günther.”
“Again a green one”: Baerbock mocks and praises Günther at a carnival event
“Again a green one,” as Annalena Baerbock, who recently caused a stir about her supposed luxury watch, commented in her laudatory speech.
“I wouldn't have thought the carnival club could do that at all,” scoffed the Green Foreign Minister, who bagged the prize last year.
After all, Günther is also a Green at heart: “One of the most prominent critics of the current CDU party leadership.
A man who clearly stands for environmental protection, who is committed to the climate, to organic farming, to diversity and democracy and, above all, to common sense.”
Surprisingly, Daniel Günther himself came out of his shell and sang the song “If not now, when then?” by the Cologne carnival band Höhner.
He wanted the title of the song to be understood to mean that now is the time to stand up for democracy.
In the afternoon, Günther spoke to 20,000 demonstrators at a rally against right-wing extremism in downtown Aachen.
My news
Russia reacts to major NATO maneuvers – and threatens “tragic consequences” read
If Russia wins: Hungarian right-wing extremist wants to annex Ukrainian territories read
Russians are advancing on several sectors of the front: Putin's goal is becoming more and more concrete
Two in one fell swoop: Ukrainian drones take out Russian tanks read
New survey hammer: Wagenknecht party swallows the traffic lights in the east
Like Jules Verne – Ukraine deploys autonomous submarines against Putin
Baerbock gives a laudatory speech for CDU man Günther – he jokes about Friedrich Merz
At the end, Günther received a lot of applause from the more than 1,000 guests in the ballroom - even if his so-called knight's hat kept threatening to slip off his head.
“My head is too big,” he stated.
In addition to the cap, he also received a so-called Edelprinte, a local specialty with his likeness, which he apparently did not initially recognize as such.
“I thought it was Karl Lauterbach,” he said.
By the way, Günther also used his speech to make a small jibe at Friedrich Merz.
He had received the medal long before him.
“As far as I’ve heard, for once he didn’t need three attempts.” Merz was elected CDU party leader in 2022 on the third attempt.
(han/dpa)