Noticeable changes in the political celestial theatre: the green fixed star Robert loses its luminosity, the red giant Boris outshines the small lights and the central star Olaf (often only visible in phases) rises again from the black hole.
Lots of research work for Sandra Maischberger and her stargazers!
The guests
Boris Pistorius (63, SPD). The secretary of defense has a run: Wherever he appears, it’s not just the heels that work! For anyone who can’t believe the federal government’s sudden efficiency, Google has a special question to click: “Is Boris Pistorius German?”
Katharina Dröge (38, Greens). Before the vice chancellor dawns, the parliamentary group leader throws herself into the fray: “Transparency and compliance rules are very important to us Greens.” Hear, hear!
Rüdiger von Fritsch (69). The ex-ambassador in Moscow warns: “From his point of view, Putin absolutely must win this war. This is what makes this conflict so difficult to resolve.”
Bernhard Hoecker (53). The comedian (“Who knows that?”) moans about Habeck’s felt: “When you’ve been watching the news, you always need a big plan with all the family and relationship networks!”
Helene Bubrowski (41). The journalist (FAZ) is surprised “that Robert Habeck has not separated from Patrick Graichen earlier”.
Paul Ronzheimer (37). The BILD deputy is already turning the subject further: “When did Robert Habeck know that there were other problems and maybe he didn’t disclose everything in the Bundestag?” Uff!
professionals from every subject. The Zoff-o-Meter is particularly excited about interactions: war and comedy, scandal and diplomacy.
Thinnest line of defence
The Greens’ counter-offensive may/must be staged by faction leader Dröge. The talk show host asked her about Habeck’s accusation that the criticism of his State Secretary Patrick Graichen’s groomsman smear was a “campaign”. Today the minister had to admit: “It was one mistake too many.”
Group leader Katharina Dröge (38, Greens) was switched on
The politician counters on her monitor with the popular mix of admitting a little and distracting as soon as possible. First, Dröge cheerfully claims: “I don’t think anyone from the Greens has ever talked about the fact that it was a mistake that Patrick Graichen made.” In other words: all paletti.
Superficial indignation
But then the parliamentary group leader immediately attacked the opposition: “What the Union is now doing with the Building Energy Act, its own website, large advertisements, THIS is a campaign!” she protested demonstratively. A campaign against climate protection! That’s where they spend money for!”
Strangest explanation
Maischberger does not allow himself to be distracted: “What exactly do you know about it,” she adds, “when did Robert Habeck know that what was being examined might not be as clean as he thought or said?”
“Robert Habeck said at the press conference today that there was a professional assessment of his legal presentations to determine whether there was a compliance violation,” reports Dröge. “I think you came to the conclusion yesterday that this violation existed.” After that, Habeck and Graichen “did the consequences together”. Ui! Together!
Most functional lightning rod
“How sure are you that it was now?” The talk show host wants to know next. “Nobody can make a general statement at this point,” replies the parliamentary group leader through the back door that was quickly opened. “I think it’s important to take a very close look.”
The talk show host pours petrol: “Aren’t you just better than the CSU on these issues?” But Dröge quickly uses the teasing as a template: “The CSU made many mistakes and didn’t always draw the consequences from them,” she railed. “That’s the problem we’ve had with the CSU over the past few decades.” Heidewitzka!
Most explosive comment
“No one knows what turning the stone will bring,” Pistorius puzzles about the future of the Minister of Economic Affairs. “This is now a difficult phase for Robert Habeck, and that’s really a shame!”
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) with Sandra Maischberger
His assessment: “The further course of the game now decides on the evaluation: Was that a liberating blow or an own goal?” But, according to Pistorius: “In the end, the decision was definitely the right one.”
“I don’t see any damage for the federal government,” adds the defense secretary. “Robert Habeck was damaged by the way things went, but I’m sure he’ll fight his way out of it.”
Most memorable character picture
The talk show host unearthed a comment that describes Pistorius as a kicker for VfL Osnabrück: “The man is very stable on the ground,” she reads, “a fast runner, he can make hooks, and he also masters the blood slide.”
“I think that’s the way it is,” the minister agrees. “Such an all-rounder, technically certainly not brilliant, as a footballer at least, but I’ve actually mastered the tackle 30 centimeters over the turf to some extent, as well as the fast acceleration.”
Most compelling wording
Maischberger wants to know whether he had to carry Scholz to hunt for the arms deliveries to Ukraine. Pistorius vigorously denies this: “I have a very good living with Olaf Scholz,” he asserts. “We maintain a direct line and coordinate very closely.”
For the Ukrainian spring offensive, the new arms deliveries for 2.7 billion will only partially come in time, the minister admits, “but that wasn’t the aim either.” The aim is to help with the things that “are delivered first must be able to.” That’s how you have to say it.
Most convincing justification
The next ARD clip shows President Selenskyj, who in Berlin when asked if he was getting enough help, replied: “A few more visits and then it will be enough.” His new first-name friend Olaf was standing next to him, grinned and wished him with a slap on the back “Good luck!”
“Of course that’s not enough for the spring offensive,” comments Pistorius, “but nobody ever said that. It’s about strengthening the offensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces in order to be able to defend themselves and regain ground.”
Most Unwelcome Demand
Regarding Zelenskyy’s tireless demand for fighter jets, the minister says: “Today I had a bilateral conversation with my British colleague Ben Wallace, and he said: It’s about improving the air combat capability of the Ukrainian armed forces à la longue (in the long term, ed. ) to build”.
Because, Pistorius continues: The desired F-16s are currently not available in England, nor in Germany. In addition, the necessary approval from the USA is not yet available.
Most legitimate self-praise
“The chancellor could have an effect on the White House,” the talk show host suggested. ‘He’s done it before.’ Yes, the minister admits, ‘but on one issue where WE had the hat and were the leader in the concert when it came to the Leopard tanks. A completely different situation.”
His annoyance: “Everyone always acts as if the Bundeswehr couldn’t do anything. But that’s not the case!” Then he straightens his back and counts on his fingers: “We’re providing a brigade that would be able to defend NATO territory in Lithuania within 10 days! A tank division with 16,000 soldiers! Puma, Leopard… We’re on the move!”
Coolest comment
At the former chancellor’s victory celebration in the Russian embassy, Pistorius admitted: “I was horrified!” At first he didn’t want to be elicited more, but then he added: “Gerhard Schröder is Gerhard Schröder. I have other construction sites than the question of whether someone who will soon be 80 is still in the SPD or not.
Most dramatic alarm call
“In the Ukraine, more ammunition is fired at the front in a week than we can produce in a year in Europe,” warns Ronzheimer. “The absurd thing is, and Mr. Pistorius is also responsible for this, that nothing has been changed!”
“I always had the feeling that you were running after me,” complains comedian Hoëcker, waving his hands angrily. “You’re always late! As if we had this mud on our feet where the tanks get stuck in it!”
Most telltale rejection
Even former ambassador von Fritsch has an elegant formulation: he “had to be able to represent Germany,” he says of his annual participation in the victory parades on Red Square.
Striking: The “March of the Immortal Regiment” was one of the celebrations that have now been canceled. Russians silently carried pictures of their dead through the streets, led by Putin with a photo of his father. The diplomat suspects that there were now fears that pictures from the wrong war would be shown – not from the Second World War, but from Ukraine.
Most psychological analysis
Resistance to Putin is not to be expected, judges von Fritsch, citing a Russian proverb: “He who goes with his head bowed will not have his head cut off”. His explanation: “People have the experiences of the Soviet era in their bones.”
Rüdiger von Fritsch (69), ex-ambassador in Moscow, with the moderator
For Putin, this means, according to the diplomat: “They all seem to support him, but if he stumbled, no one would take to the streets for him.”
Most hopeful clues
“Putin will have to prove that he was successful in the war, but also that the supply will continue to work,” predicts von Fritsch. “He must remain able to buy permanent approval in the country.”
Consequence: “For this, Putin is dependent on income to a large extent,” explains the ex-ambassador. “In this respect, our sanctions are aimed at exactly the right point.” In fact, the Kremlin’s income has since fallen significantly.
Most outrageous realization
After a clip about the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigoschin, von Fritsch reports: “He has to provide troops, run troll factories and, as the Italian secret service recently found out, he has to ensure that migrants are smuggled across the Mediterranean.”
Von Fritsch is most concerned about Donald Trump’s announcement that he will end the war in 24 hours after his re-election. “If he’s serious,” the diplomat fears, “he has two options: withdraw support from Ukraine completely, or threaten Putin with nuclear weapons.” Both horrific notions.”
quote of the evening
“There is a rule that says: We are all equally smart – some before, others afterwards.” Boris Pistorius
Conclusion
There was a sharp contrast between swaggering drugs and plain text Pistorius, the Fritschs confident appearance, the media people gave no quarter and the talk show host took no prisoners: it was a talk show in the “War Cabinet” category.