corona pandemic
CDU politicians: Vaccination only with a narrow time limit
CDU health politician Tino Sorge speaks during a debate in the Bundestag. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich believes that a majority for compulsory corona vaccination from the age of 18 is possible in the first ballot. The Union calls for a tight time limit.
The health policy spokesman for the Union faction, Tino Sorge, believes that compulsory corona vaccination only makes sense under certain conditions and with a narrow time limit.
“Compulsory vaccination would only make sense if there was a risk of particularly dangerous virus variants – and if there were suitable vaccines at the same time,” said the CDU politician to the “Welt am Sonntag”. “If one of the two does not apply, compulsory vaccination would not be very effective.” The clear signal to the population must also be: “If vaccination comes, then only with a clear, narrow time limit.”
The previously known initiatives of various members of the Bundestag for a general vaccination requirement criticized concern: “The differentiation according to virus variants and temporal component is missing from all group applications – as well as ideas for improving the database.” The Union will submit a proposal on these three points, he said.
Orientation debate started
On Wednesday, the Bundestag discussed the socially explosive topic in an orientation debate. So far there have essentially been three approaches: A draft for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 is currently being prepared by parliamentarians from all three traffic light groups. A group led by the FDP MP Andrew Ullmann concreted a push for a “middle way”: With a mandatory, professional and personal consultation for all adult unvaccinated. And if after a certain time the necessary vaccination rate is not achieved, proof of vaccination from the age of 50 is mandatory. A group led by FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki wants to prevent compulsory vaccination in general.
The SPD, the Greens and the FDP had agreed that the deputies should deliberate and decide freely without the usual group guidelines. SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich believes it is possible that there could be a majority for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 in the first ballot, as he told the editorial network Germany. He also spoke out in favor of this option. “After much deliberation, I came to the conclusion that compulsory vaccination can help us not to have to restrict everyone’s freedom rights again next autumn.”
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger told the “Welt am Sonntag”: “I tend to vote for an age-related vaccination requirement.” This would primarily protect the vulnerable groups in the next wave, argued the FDP politician. “This way would also be the milder means than a general vaccination requirement.”