He has just detonated another political bombshell in the CSU parliamentary group by giving parliamentary leader Thomas Kreuzer an ultimatum and asking him to withdraw; now Ernst Weidenbusch is announcing the end of his own political career – another big hit. He will not run again in the upcoming state elections. “In July next year I will be 60 years old, and shortly after that I will have successfully represented the constituency Munich-Land Nord in the Bavarian state parliament for 20 years. Against this background, I have decided not to run for a mandate in the 2023 state election “, said the deputy from Haar in writing.
Is there a frustrated person throwing in the towel? The passionate hunter told the SZ on Monday that his decision was made “of his own free will,” self-determined, without pressure from the party. “It’s enough, the time has come for a younger candidate to take over with their own ideas and vision.” He had already looked into himself over Christmas and made this personal decision for himself. “And it was clear to me: What you haven’t done in the past 20 years, you won’t be able to do in the next 20 years either.” Now “a younger woman or a younger man” should get the chance.
Weidenbusch denies a connection with his failed revolt against Kreuzer, as well as the fact that there could be an internal party opponent in the important constituency Munich-Land Nord, which he was able to win directly for the CSU four times in a row, and he would have to be nominated again by the members have to worry. One who has long been said to have ambitions for the Maximilianeum is Kirchheim’s mayor Maximilian Böltl. At 38, he fits perfectly into the profile demanded by Prime Minister Markus Söder: Böltl is young, modern, approachable, fit in social media.
“I’m very interested in the task,” says Kirchheim’s mayor Maximilian Böltl, who is already being discussed as a possible successor.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
“Several colleagues from local politics in the district have already approached me today,” said Böltl on Monday to the SZ. “I am very interested in the task.” Before answering the question about an application, he wanted to take the time during the Easter holidays “to be able to talk to the CSU locally and in the region in peace”. Florian Hahn, the CSU district chairman, would have Böltl on his side. Hahn sees Kirchheimer as one of the greatest political talents in the district. “If he wants to do it, he would certainly be suitable,” said the district party leader. However, the party will take its time and first establish a process for nominating a candidate. Candidates could only be set up from August 15th anyway.
Contested Munich-Land Nord constituency
In his own words, Hahn was surprised by Weidenbusch’s withdrawal. He pays respect to Haarer for his decision: “Not everyone is able to say on their own: That was it.” In Weidenbusch, the CSU in the district of Munich is losing an absolute “political heavyweight,” according to Hahn. Böltl welcomes the fact that Weidenbusch initiated the change himself. “Our member of parliament Ernst Weidenbusch always encouraged young people in the CSU,” said the 38-year-old about the 58-year-old. “His decision to actively enable a generational change deserves great respect.”
Weidenbusch, who was re-elected President of the Bavarian State Hunting Association in a contested vote on Sunday, leaves behind a constituency that is likely to be one of the most hard-fought in the Free State. In the 2018 state election, he narrowly managed to defend the direct mandate with just 30.6 percent of the first votes. He lost more than twelve percentage points compared to 2013, while the runner-up, the Green Claudia Köhler, achieved a historically good result with 22.8 percent. After entering the state parliament via the list, the Unterhaching native can have legitimate hopes of winning the direct mandate in 2023. As far as the Munich-Land Süd constituency is concerned, the CSU expects Kerstin Schreyer to run again.
Weidenbusch not only shaped the CSU in the district of Munich as a member of the state parliament for more than two decades. He was also district chairman for 15 years and before that head of the Junge Union in the district. As the prime minister’s special representative for the BayernLB and Hypo Alpe Adria scandal, he saved Bavaria from millions in losses. During this time, however, he also received a fee of 430,000 euros in his capacity as a lawyer, which later earned him the accusation of amalgamation of interests. Weidenbusch wants to remain active, at least in local politics. He announced that he would retain his district council mandate and continue to perform his duties as deputy to District Administrator Christoph Göbel (CSU).