CSU boss Markus Söder criticizes the Greens fundamentally on TV – and comments on the Union’s candidacy for chancellor.
CSU boss Markus Söder does not expect to become the Union’s candidate for chancellor. “Bayern will do it once, that was the case with Strauss and Stoiber, but it is extremely unlikely a second time,” said the Bavarian Prime Minister on Sunday evening in the ARD program “Caren Miosga” in response to a question from the moderator. He said that the CDU leader and chairman of the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Friedrich Merz, might want to become a candidate for chancellor and was of course the “favorite”. But in the end it’s a formal decision.
There are others in the CDU who might want to, Söder added. But no one in the CSU would want to, “except one who theoretically could,” said Söder, referring to himself. “Possibly, theoretically that could be the theoretical option, but (..) I’m in Bavaria.” You only try to run for chancellor once in your life. “I love Bavaria.”
In recent weeks, when asked about possible new ambitions to run for chancellor, Söder has repeatedly emphasized that his place is in Bavaria. He himself is planning the coming years as Prime Minister. The federal election will not take place until autumn 2025.
The guests
Markus Söder (CSU party leader and Prime Minister of Bavaria)Mariam Lau (“Die Zeit” journalist)Julia Reuschenbach (political scientist)
The broadcast also discussed Russia’s wiretapping scandal of the German Air Force – here Söder did not skimp on criticism of the government, but primarily of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “If it’s really true that they simply dialed into a Webex switch without anyone noticing, maybe the Russians’ technical capabilities aren’t that great, but we’re just a little unlucky,” said Söder.
The dispute between France and Germany is likely to cause laughter in the Kremlin, he said. He does not believe that Scholz lied about the delivery and use of Taurus rockets. He didn’t know Scholz as a liar, but his strategy was incomprehensible. The war in Ukraine is now purely a material battle – it is outrageous that Germany would withdraw in such a situation, criticized Söder.
Söder: “A lot of friendship porcelain is being smashed”
His suggestion: The West should formulate a strategic goal of what a peace solution could look like. It is important that Germany, Great Britain and France stand close together. In fact, relations with these countries could currently be “a case of ‘marriage in court’,” he joked, noting: “A lot of friendship porcelain is being broken.”
Before the fundamental criticism of the Greens began – and the discussion panel was expanded to include journalist Mariam Lau and political scientist Julia Reuschenbach, Söder had a humorous anecdote about former Chancellor Angela Merkel ready. He was in active contact with them during the Corona period. He often wrote her frustrated text messages in the evenings, which she – according to Söder – answered with “Confucius SMS” or sometimes with a Udo Jürgens quote.
Söder: Stoner fans to Berlin!
When the conversation turned to the release of cannabis, Söder began his criticism of the Greens, which was to stick until the end of the program. Söder, who is against the decision to (partially) legalize cannabis, judged harshly: “The government argues about everything and gets nothing done. But when they smoke weed, they all get high with joy.”
He described the law itself as “such a poorly made law.” Although it cannot be legally avoided, it will be applied restrictively in Bavaria. Then he became polemical: “If you’re a total stoner fan: go to Berlin! Not to Bavaria,” was his recommendation.
Söder is generally “very disappointed” with the Greens. At the beginning of the traffic light coalition, he still found their work to be positive. “I found Baerbock’s appearance abroad refreshing, new and modern. I also found Habeck’s ideas on energy positive.” But then an “ideological backslide” began, which was evident in the phase-out of nuclear energy and the heating law. A new government should therefore definitely take place without the Greens, said Söder.
