Got a New Batch of political hot potatoes on Markus Lanz: CSU Secretary-General Huber Shies Away from Praising Habeck
CSU Secretary General Huber resists lauding Habeck.
By Marko Schlichting
The freshly-minted federal government is shaking things up with its new agenda. CSU, previously staunch supporters of nuclear power, are suddenly going green, focusing on wind energy, according to Secretary-General Huber on Markus Lanz. He also spills the tea on his feelings regarding the former economics minister.
Markus Lanz's talk show took a twist, stepping away from the anticipated discussions about the AfD and the Left. Instead, we delved into the gastronomic preferences of Union's heavyweight, Markus Söder, notably his penchant for Big Macs. While these quirky moments were aplenty, the serious, content-rich conversations were few and far between.
However, the show did kick off on a high note, diving into the bungled start of the new federal government. A historical first: a federal chancellor wasn't elected in the first round. Franziska Brantner, Green Party leader, voiced her shock, "It was a potential scenario, but somehow no one anticipated Merz and Klingbeil wouldn't make it." The ominous message sent to the public was far-reaching. In the end, it was the Greens who saved Friedrich Merz by agreeing to a second round. A second round could only have materialized if the Left and Greens achieved a two-thirds majority for the black-red coalition to suspend the Bundestag's rules of procedure, a feat only possible after three days.
Political Overhaul Now, Huber seems more interested in moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. "Today marks the beginning of a policy shift," he declares. "Looking at what Interior Minister Dobrindt has already implemented today, such as border controls and expulsions at the borders." He discusses the need to restore the faith of the people in the state and politics, emphasizing investments in infrastructure, although not necessarily for the operation of previously shut-down nuclear power plants.
Nuclear Power Out, Wind Power In The CSU is turning its back on nuclear power and setting its sights on alternative energies. Bavaria, promises Huber, will embark on a wind energy renaissance. However, the number of wind turbines Bavaria planned to commission in 2024 remains hazy, with Huber admitting he can't recall the exact figure off the top of his head. "We're determined to accelerate the expansion of wind energy in Bavaria," he says.
Brantner raises concerns about revitalizing the economy and highlights the need for more investments throughout Germany, advocating for streamlined procedures and prompt action, "We've planted many trees at the end, and they can either bloom or turn into firewood depending on the actions we take."
Energy Revolution Huber shares his perspective on the energy sector's future, a megatheme for the years ahead. "A considerable amount of money is flowing into it," he acknowledges. "There's a lot to do: expanding networks, the topic of hydrogen, and advancements in the expansion of renewables. The energy focus is the issue that has been challenging us in recent years. I am convinced that Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, with her expertise, will make a significant difference from her predecessor."
Unlike Huber, Reiche heaped praise on her predecessor during the handover, dubbing his work "almost superhuman." However, Huber sees her compliments as kind words devoid of recognition or praise for Habeck's performance. "It was mere politeness," he says.
Sources: ntv.de, [1], [2]
- Friedrich Merz
- Franziska Brantner
- Union Caucus
- Alliance 90/The Greens
- Federal Government
- Katherina Reiche
- Robert Habeck
- Interior Minister Dobrindt
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesregierung-koalitionsverhandlungen-laenderdelegationen-kser-a-2148359.html[2] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesregierung-merz-nimmt-koalitionsverhandlungen-ins-hochstrage-a-2156086.html
- The Union Caucus, historically strong supporters of nuclear power, is now focusing on wind energy, as stated by CSU Secretary-General Huber during his conversation with Markus Lanz.
- Friedrich Merz, a potential candidate for the federal chancellor position, did not succeed in the first round of elections, an unexpected development according to Franziska Brantner, the leader of Alliance 90/The Greens.
- With a shift in focus towards renewable energy sources, Katherina Reiche, the new Economics Minister, is expected to make a substantial impact, as Huber suggests, while her compliments towards her predecessor, Robert Habeck, were merely politely stated, devoid of genuine recognition or praise.
- In the federal government, the politics of general-news have seen a change, with initiatives like the increasing number of wind turbines planned for commissioning in Bavaria, as declared by Huber, being indicative of this shift.
