Dresden – Michael Kretschmer’s new Corona Protection Ordinance came into force on Monday. It allows Christmas markets to be held in Saxony. But only four days later the Prime Minister changed his mind!
“I was in a hospital yesterday. I spoke to the staff there and that is my advice. An advice to forego these Christmas markets, to forego major events altogether, ”said Michael Kretschmer (46, CDU) on Thursday.
Can’t decide: Prime Minister Kretschmer
A change of course that is reminiscent of autumn 2020 – even then, Kretschmer turned around after visiting a clinic.
But the head of government himself does not want to cancel the Christmas markets, others should do that: “Here in the Free State of Saxony, we have an agreement with the municipal level that the municipalities alone decide,” he says.
Municipalities in a tight spot
Dresden mayor Dirk Hilbert (50, FDP) and Chemnitz mayor Sven Schulze (50, SPD) criticize Kretschmer in unison: “The fact is that the Corona Protection Ordinance does not currently justify a rejection. In this respect, the Christmas markets are currently being expanded. “
The Striezelmarkt is fully assembled. It is unclear whether it will open this year
Freiberg’s mayor holds on to the Christmas market: “In the event of a cancellation, we will examine claims for damages against the Free State,” said Sven Krüger (48, independent) to BILD. Kretschmer drives “on sight” – if he had decided earlier, the damage would not be so enormous.
Whoever cancels has to pay!
Cities and municipalities are therefore sounding the alarm. So could i.a. the Striezelmarkt will open on November 22nd according to the current rules, but Kretschmer could close it again after just four days with the new Corona regulation (from November 26th).
Hilbert and Schulze: “The dealers have stocked up on goods and products in good faith in the public promises made by politicians.” They therefore demand talks about “Compensation for dealers and market operators”.
And they tell the MP on the way: If markets are closed, “the Christmas get-together for friends and colleagues” is relocated to private life – there is “de facto no control of corona rules”.
Dealer and organizer angry
Mulled wine dealer Markus Harich
Mulled wine dealer Markus Harich (56) from Striezelmarkt: “A cancellation would mean a broken neck for me. The goods have been ordered, the employees are hired. I am beside myself. Other traders call me and howl. It would have been fair if politicians had said that we would suspend one more time and help you survive. I’m sitting on 8000 liters of mulled wine. That’s sh … if I may put it that way. “
Sven-Erik Hitzer
Sven-Erik Hitzer (59), operator of the historic Christmas market on Neumarkt: “Even if a market operator wanted to cancel due to Corona concerns, he would collect a fine from the city for this – because the concession contract governs the implementation. We are the total last looser, ”said Hitzer. In the direction of Kretschmer, he says: “It’s definitely about millions for all of Dresden’s markets!”
Holger Zastrow
Holger Zastrow (52, Augustusmarkt), largest private Christmas market organizer in the Free State: “That is shabby and irresponsible of the Prime Minister. He made a regulation himself and said that the Christmas markets are taking place. Based on this commitment, we started planning and made dealer contracts. That drives everyone to ruin. Mr. Kretschmer has disqualified himself as a national father. “
Nena Schink Let’s go to the Christmas markets!
11/11/2021