It is still a while until the Bavarian state elections in 2023, but the election campaign has actually begun with the start of the traffic light government in Berlin. Although the corona virus is currently determining the day-to-day political affairs, there is hope that this could change this year. In any case, CSU boss Markus Söder got his party in the mood for the election campaign on Saturday in a virtual start of the year – and for a time after Corona.
In doing so, he relied on the tried and tested narrative of the Superland Bavaria, which is at the forefront economically, socially, in terms of safety as well as innovation. And that must also be governed, which the CSU has been doing for a long time. And still want to do. He doesn’t want to be “class leader”, said Söder, but of course he does want to be at the front because that suits Bavaria. Then Söder tried out a few slogans: “It used to be called laptop and lederhosen, some now say Leberkäse and laser. In the end, it’s tradition and technology as well as high-tech and home.”
He mentioned various things that are believed to be heard more often during the election campaign. There was talk of freedom and “a kind of development program” after Corona, a restart of culture, leisure and tradition. All this in perceived contrast to the traffic light government in Berlin, which – without a Bavarian minister – might want to put Bavaria in a worse position, but could definitely become the most expensive government that has ever existed and also wants to educate the people . In any case, Söder does not want to be dictated to excessive gendering, nor what to eat. And then there is the controlled release of cannabis planned by the Ampel coalition, which Söder generalizes to a release of drugs. “I’m strictly against that.”
Heal and reconcile, two words that have recently been used a lot in Söder’s speeches
Söder likes to work with catchy terms, his “team caution” is one of those he declared his state government to be some time ago when it comes to corona issues. In the meantime he has added the “team sense of proportion” to him. “Caution, yes, but no hysteria,” said Söder about the current Corona situation, Bavaria is well prepared for the Omikron variant, which is considered more contagious, but probably has a milder course. “Corona is not the end of the world – and certainly not Bavaria’s.”
It may be that it is these prospects, but also the growing criticism of the anti-corona measures that made Söder emphasize once again that he did not want to “rush ahead”. Not anymore, one must say, he had portrayed himself as the strictest corona fighter often enough. This year, however, you have to “not only look at what is medically effective, but how it affects society,” said Söder. Society is more divided than ever before, it is important to heal and reconcile. Heal and reconcile, two words that have recently appeared reliably in Söder’s speeches. The order of the day was “to listen more than just announce,” said the CSU boss.
So now he spoke of freedom. Many people are “really tired, annoyed and exhausted”. Some felt pressured. “Many find it difficult, especially us bourgeoisie, because we are restricted in freedom and leisure.” In the long run, a “kind of philosophy of freedom” is needed, said Söder, which deals with the question of “how we deal with state regulations”. A second time he emphasized that “we bourgeoisie are particularly challenged in our freedom-thinking”. Personal responsibility and statehood, which are particularly important in Bavaria, have long been threatened by bureaucracy.
He is not a “German opposition leader,” says Söder
The prime minister’s change to a softer pandemic fighter is not entirely new. After the defeat in the Union’s internal chancellor candidate duel against Armin Laschet and the lost federal election, Söder has to redefine his role. He is not a “German opposition leader”, says Söder, even if he wants to be present in “Berlin”, he will concentrate on Bavaria in the future. His CSU urgently needs to step up, recently a survey even showed a possible majority outside the ruling party.
The CSU will improve and strengthen its program, Söder announced, and will also work on the organization. “The overall team line-up has to be the best,” said Söder, without going into detail. That could be an indication of a cabinet reshuffle that has been speculated about for a while. If the pandemic allows, the members of the state parliament would have to “go out again, swarm out”. And do what the party’s strength is: to be closer to people. The CSU wanted to take care of its regular voters again, announced Söder, about medium-sized businesses, farmers and rural areas.