Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, M), Hendrik Wüst (CDU, 2nd from left), Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Franziska Giffey (SPD, 2nd from right), Governing Mayor of Berlin, come to the
Press conference after a meeting between the Prime Ministers and the Federal Government.
(Photo: dpa)
The federal-state round on Friday should perhaps signal unity most clearly. But it crumbles on key issues. “There is agreement in German politics on what to do next,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) after the Prime Minister’s Conference on Friday.
The North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) added: “We have very, very much agreement between the federal government and the federal states in the fight against pandemics.” that – you guessed it – there was very, very agreement.
That sounds good, because what do these Corona peaks bring if everyone does what they want anyway? At meetings during the first three waves, country leaders torpedoed the decisions in their own declarations before they were announced. This is the case again, of all places, before the towering Omicron wave.
Shortly after the end of the video switch, Saxony-Anhalt’s state chief Reiner Haseloff (CDU) declared that he did not want to implement the 2G-Plus rule in restaurants, bars and cafes. Bavaria also stated that they wanted to check the rule carefully first.
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The same applies to the general compulsory vaccination: Scholz declared that all 16 federal states were in favor. This must now be discussed quickly in the Bundestag. At the same time, however, his traffic light coalition has so far been divided on the issue, in particular the FDP is mobilizing with an application against the compulsory vaccination, open-ended.
Unity is not an end in itself
The pandemic politicians also disagree on the question of whether the epidemic situation needs to be re-established. As in previous summits, the Union-led states promoted this in a joint paper before the federal-state consultations, and Baden-Württemberg, led by the Greens, is in favor of it. This would make extensive closings of shops and schools possible. The question apparently divides the country leaders.
Unity is not an end in itself, it is an important signal to the population and the economy. If even those are not convinced of the measures for which they are responsible – how can it be those who have to support you decisively? The frustration and anger among those affected is so great. The trade or the catering trade fear for their existence because of the 2G or 2G plus rule – despite the corona aid.
At the same time, some experts do not go far enough with the measures that have been decided. They would like to shut down parts of the economy again to protect the health system. The ruling policy must integrate both camps – and not split up into camps themselves. Otherwise the impression arises that the measures are arbitrary and that there is no uniform strategy. And that’s poison in the pandemic.
More: 2G plus and shorter quarantine decided – Scholz for quick advice on mandatory vaccination