As of: February 15, 2024, 5:16 p.m
By: Felix Durach
Comments
Press
Split
Bavaria's Prime Minister compares the Environment Minister to Margot Honecker.
The Greens accuse Söder of crossing borders and linguistic disinhibition.
Passau - At the CSU's political Ash Wednesday in Passau, Prime Minister Markus Söder traditionally did not mince his words.
As so often in recent months, the main target of Söder's speech was the Greens.
Bavaria's state leader compared, among others, Green Party leader Ricarda Lang and SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert with his dog Molly.
In contrast to the Berlin political leaders, he had “completed training – as a protection dog,” Söder mocked.
Among other things, he accused the Eco Party of waging a “small war against meat”.
But especially with his comment about Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Bündnis90/The Greens), Söder caused a stir - causing outrage among the traffic light party.
Markus Söder called Environment Minister Steffi Lemke a “green Margot Honecker”.
The Greens see the statement as crossing the line.
© Ann-Marie Utz/Sven Simon/dpa/imago-images
“Green Margot Honecker”: Environment Ministry defends itself after Söder attack on Lemke
“Freedom for the hard-working and not always new requirements, requirements, requirements,” said Söder during his speech in Passau, referring to Lemke.
“The Green Environment Minister, Ms. Lemke, is a prime example – this green Margot Honecker.
The Greens do so much crap that they should actually fall under the fertilizer regulations themselves,” Söder shouted to the crowd in the Dreiländerhalle.
However, the comparison of Lemke with the leading woman in the GDR regime goes too far for many members of the Green Party.
Especially because of Lemke's personal past.
After Söder's speech, the Environment Ministry defended itself in a brief statement on the short message service .
“This derailment by Markus Söder is as forgetful of history as it is cross-border.”
Lemke was born in Dessau in 1968 and grew up in the GDR.
In 1989, the Federal Environment Minister was one of the founding members of the Green Party in the GDR.
Along with Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD), Lemke is the only federal minister from East Germany in the cabinet of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
Greens cancel political Ash Wednesday: Trittin criticizes Söder – “promotes exactly that disinhibition”
Former Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin (Alliance90/The Greens) gave Söder some responsibility for the increasing political brutalization.
“There is a direct line from Passau to Biberach,” wrote Trittin on massive protests and blockades.
The window of a vehicle was also smashed.
“Anyone who, like Markus Söder, compares the civil rights activist Steffi Lemke with Margot Honecker is promoting exactly the disinhibition that fueled the right-wing mob against Cem Özdemir and Winfried Kretschmann,” Trittin accused the CSU.
My news
Mysterious aircraft disappearance: FSB investigates Russia's aviation authorityread
No GDR conditions: Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer gives Robert Habeck a pass
“If you don’t want us as Bavaria …”: Söder threatens to leave the Federal Republic of Germany – and calls for compulsory military service
“Are under pressure”: Habeck is making people sit up and take notice when it comes to electric cars
First federal state issues payment cards for asylum seekers - Söder wants to follow suit with tougher regulations
When Putin is asked about the Nazi background in Baerbock's family, he hesitates - then he defends her
“Return to the center”: Lang appeals to Söder after Honecker’s comment
Green Party leader Ricarda Lang also became the target of hostility during Political Ash Wednesday.
Dozens of disruptors hindered the Green politician's departure after an event in Schorndorf.
According to information from the
dpa
, Lang was greeted with shouts of “Get off” and “Ugh.”
She also had to endure harsher insults.
The troublemakers pursued Lang and her bodyguards for around 50 meters until they were stopped by police officers.
The Green Party leader had previously also sharply criticized Söder's statements.
This was reported by the
Tagesspiegel
.
With her protest against the GDR regime, Lemke had proven something that Markus Söder apparently understood little about, said Lang: "Backbone and courage." Lang particularly criticized Söder's rhetoric towards other parties.
“Not the joke, not the criticism, but the contempt for the political counterpart.
The attack that seeks to destroy the person.
This leads to the decline of our political democracy.”
The Green Party leader then called on the CSU leader to show moderation: “Dear Markus Söder, leave this path.
Stop making yourself the protagonist of the decline of political culture in Germany (…) and return to the center.”
(fd)