Boss of the Lower Saxony-Cdu: “I’m here for honest words: We promised something else before the choice” | EUROtoday

When Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz (CDU) introduced his crew for the long run federal cupboard in Berlin final Monday, a person left the corridor prematurely. Lower Saxony’s CDU boss Sebastian Lechner, whose regional affiliation had expired empty when the ministerial posts have been distributed.

Lechner, 44, has been the state chairman since January 2023 and in addition leads his social gathering’s parliamentary group within the Hanover state parliament. In 2027 he desires to recapture the Lower Saxony State Chancellery for his social gathering and Prime Minister in his federal state.

WELT: Mr. Lechner, how annoying is it for you that Friedrich Merz didn’t have in mind her CDU state affiliation when distributing the departments for his new federal cupboard?

Sebastian Lechner: The financial improvement, rural areas and agriculture in addition to training and households are central subjects for us in Lower Saxony. Here we current three parliamentary state secretaries, and with Ursula von der Leyen we’ve probably the most highly effective European politician in our ranks. This is actual feminine energy for Germany and Europe.

WELT: So do you agree with the personnel collection of the long run Chancellor?

Lechner: Friedrich Merz has determined to place collectively this crew, of which he believes it’s the finest line -up for a profitable federal authorities. However, it’s clear that from the third largest state affiliation, the CDU in Lower Saxony, different sturdy personalities may additionally contribute to this federal authorities. I’m happy with these many good heads.

WELT: Did Merz spoke to you and the opposite CDU state chairman upfront?

Lechner: It is the constitutionally outlined proper of the upcoming Chancellor to make this determination. Friedrich Merz made use of this. Regardless of this, I’m positive {that a} good relationship with the regional associations will proceed to be essential to the brand new Federal Chancellor.

WELT: Is it right that former Prime Minister David McAllister Merz gave a basket within the seek for a brand new international minister?

Lechner: David McAllister is likely one of the most essential German politicians in Europe. He has a superb popularity and I can perceive that he desires to proceed his work on the European stage.

WELT: Above all, the Union’s employees’ wing, the CDA, has publicly complained concerning the personnel plans of the long run Chancellor. How heavy does the mortgage that Merz took in there?

Lechner: The CDU was a preferred social gathering below Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel, who all the time represented all kinds of inhabitants teams and attitudes. This ought to and can stay so below Friedrich Merz. Every Chancellor, each social gathering chief, is essential to keep up a great change with the nations and the respective state chair. It can be a prerequisite for the federal authorities and nations to have the ability to transfer one thing collectively over the subsequent 4 years.

WELT: Is there a personnel within the Merz Tableau that she was significantly happy about?

Lechner: There is now a Minister for digitization and state modernization. The digital state is likely one of the most essential subjects that we’ve to sort out in Germany after we need to create new and sustainable financial progress, not least in Lower Saxony. I feel that Karsten Wildberger has appointed a specialist from the financial system who dominates digital transformation.

WELT: Beyond the dissatisfaction with the workers, there was no content material within the CDU Federal Committee on the coalition settlement with the SPD. Which passages do you want – and which one not?

Lechner: The coalition settlement comprises many essential factors. The flip in migration coverage can now succeed. When it involves vitality and tax funding incentives, the contract additionally harbors good approaches that the nation can deliver ahead. In the coalition negotiations, the truth that the IP provide knowledge storage is now with the intention to shield our youngsters from abuse.

In addition, there are definitely factors that also must be crammed with content material. We want a reform of our social programs, medical health insurance corporations, pension insurance coverage. In this legislative interval, it should not stick with working teams.

WELT: How a lot did Merz overturn over the debt brake to overturn the Union in Lower Saxony, possibly even unsettle?

Lechner: Stable funds and the correct dealing with of cash belong to the CDU’s DNA. I’m right here for trustworthy phrases: we promised one thing else earlier than selecting. But the urgently wanted strengthening of Germany’s protection means is of nice significance, particularly in these occasions. The proven fact that Friedrich Merz first went across the nation and he made and applied this determination corresponds to what a chancellor has to do.

WELT: Doesn’t the opposition politician in a red-green state don’t make it far more tough for you if the brand new federal authorities provides the federal states a further 100 billion euros? If doubtful, the extra cash, the extra monetary design choices, use the respective state governments.

Lechner: First of all, we will make mandatory investments, and that is a vital message for our nation. And in any other case the truth that the SPD is ruling within the federal authorities with the Union sooner or later will relatively result in tensions and conflicts in red-green in Lower Saxony considerably. We anticipate the state authorities, for instance, give its approval of the migration flip within the Federal Council.

WELT: Does the aim in politics truly sanctify the treatment?

Lechner: As a accountable politician, you need to make choices which are right and essential for our nation. But who could not all the time correspond to pure instructing {that a} social gathering has written in this system. In the top, the next should apply: first the nation, then the social gathering, then the individual.

WELT: What do you anticipate from the brand new cupboard within the first 100 days?

Lechner: Friedrich Merz will instantly get to work and sort out the essential subjects that individuals take care of in order that one thing might be noticeably modified for the constructive. In the limitation of unlawful migration, within the activation of financial improvement, within the clear international coverage positioning of Germany and Europe. We want a perceptibly completely different coverage.

Ulrich Exner is a political world correspondent in northern Germany.