Söder distances himself from Weimer: “You either want to make money or you want to go into politics” | EUROtoday

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder commented on the allegations in opposition to Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer within the FOCUS podcast “Machtmenschen” and confirmed his distance.

The background is the criticism of the Ludwig Erhard summit of the Weimer Media Group, a publishing home as soon as based by Weimer and his spouse. Federal ministers additionally recurrently participate within the annual occasion at Tegernsee. According to reviews, the organizer will supply participation packages for tens of 1000’s of euros and promote potential “influence on political decision-makers”.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the related allegations on ARD on the weekend as baseless and stated that the allegations made in opposition to Wolfram Weimer had confirmed to be false.

When requested whether or not he, Markus Söder, assessed the method in the identical means, the Prime Minister replied: “Friedrich Merz can judge that better.” It was his acutely aware resolution to nominate Wolfram Weimer to the Chancellery. “I think the two of them are very, very friends and have also done a lot of mountain tours or tours around the lake,” Söder continued. “In this respect, I think the proximity is greater, but also the knowledge of the problem is greater and if Friedrich Merz says that’s okay for him, then it’s okay too.”

Regarding potential personnel penalties, Söder made it clear: “Decisions about the office are made only by the Federal Chancellor and he has clearly backed Mr. Weimer. In this respect, the personnel question that is being discussed has, I think, been decided in Berlin for now.”

Finally, Söder stated with regard to the method: “I’ll put it this way: You have to decide, blue light or account. Either you want to earn money or you want to stay in politics. It doesn’t work together.”

The AfD, the Greens and the Left are sharply essential

The opposition renewed its criticism of Weimer within the Bundestag on Wednesday. “You have not yet convincingly dispelled the impression that you do not clearly separate political and private-sector interests in your office,” stated Green cultural politician Sven Lehmann in parliament. Left MP David Schliesing stated: “Your conflict of interest has not been resolved and this scandal is not off the table.” The AfD politician Götz Frömming renewed the decision for Weimer to be dismissed from the federal authorities.

Green politician Lehmann, who can be chairman of the Bundestag’s tradition committee, requested in his speech: “Do you think it’s okay that federal ministers continue to take part in these events, even though a ministerial colleague earns money directly or indirectly from them? I don’t think that’s okay and neither does the public. Rather, the impression of a black felt is created here.” The Greens, the Left and the AfD additionally criticized the priorities of Weimer’s cultural coverage. Weimer himself didn’t communicate within the debate.

Weimer had now given up capabilities and voting rights within the publishing home when he joined the federal government. He has now introduced that he’ll hand over 50 p.c of his firm shares to a trustee.