Bavaria
Aiwanger should provide Söder with information in writing
According to Prime Minister Markus Söder, the statements made by Bavaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Aiwanger in the coalition committee were “definitely not sufficient”. photo
© Pia Bayer/dpa
The leaflet affair superimposed on the Bavarian state election campaign. Now the Prime Minister has played the ball back to his Vice Aiwanger. Soon, however, Söder will have to show his colors.
In the affair of an old anti-Semitic leaflet, waiting for further clarification from Bavaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Aiwanger started. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) announced yesterday that the free voter boss should now answer 25 questions in writing. He did not give a deadline. But one hopes for a “rapid and comprehensive” answer – and Aiwanger has also promised answers “to the best of my knowledge and belief”. Only then does the CSU boss want to make a “final assessment”.
Aiwanger (52) had written on Saturday evening, denying that he had written an anti-Semitic leaflet when he was at school in the 1980s, which the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported on. At the same time, however, he admitted that “one or a few copies” were found in his school bag. Shortly thereafter, Aiwanger’s older brother admitted to having written the pamphlet.
Söder against premature dismissal
Aiwanger’s statements yesterday in the coalition committee were “definitely not enough for a final clarification,” said Söder. “No residual doubts” should remain. However, the Prime Minister also made it clear that he is sticking with Aiwanger, at least for the time being: “Until there is final clarification, as long as there is no new evidence or what has been said so far can be completely refuted, a dismissal from the office of a state minister would be excessive.”
The opposition accuses Söder of ducking away, a stalemate and delaying tactics – and for their part increased the pressure on the government six weeks before the state elections: There should now be a special session in the state parliament next week.
State election is coming up
A new state parliament will be elected in Bavaria on October 8th. According to all the latest polls, the CSU and Free Voters can continue to govern afterwards. And Söder once again clearly stated yesterday that he would continue the coalition: “The cooperation with the free voters as a whole has proven itself, it is good and we want to continue it.” There is no reason to change anything about it. Coalitions “did not depend on a single person,” Söder also said. “It’s the same with or without a person in state office.”
Yesterday evening, Aiwanger spoke at the Steinbrünninger Herbstfest in the Berchtesgaden district, but only briefly addressed the allegations at the beginning of his speech: “Of course we are currently under a lot of public pressure, under attacks that hurt when you are confronted with things that where more than 35 years ago. But I think we have to look ahead, we have to see that we continue to rule this country in a stable manner.”