Söder outlines new goals of the state government

Markus Söder Sets the Stage: New Goals for Bavaria

Following Bavaria's recent state elections, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) is gearing up for his first government statement of this new legislative period. Though the precise contents remain under wraps, we can anticipate Söder touching upon Bavaria's current state and future objectives.

This presentation will mark Söder's 21st government statement since his March 2018 election as Minister President. During the pandemic, Söder made numerous such speeches to clarify dramatic interventions affecting everyday life and fundamental rights. His most recent address was on March 15, 2022, coinciding with the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Government statements serve as an opportunity for the opposition to launch a profound critique of the state government's course. Given the AfD's significant election gain, they'll seize this chance for their first opposition gig. During the previous legislative term, the Greens claimed this position.

Moreover, the AfD will make another attempt to elect a member of their parliamentary group as Vice President of the state parliament. Although their previous aspirants failed to secure the required votes, they view this as an undemocratic maneuver by the other parliamentary groups. Instead, the CSU, Free Voters, SPD, and Greens argue against coercing an MP to vote for a specific candidate.

In the constituent session of the state parliament, the AfD's 2022 Vice President nominee, Matthias Vogler, drew only 29 votes, despite the presence of 31 AfD MPs. This outcome illustrates strained relations between the CSU and AfD as the newly-elected Bavarian legislature convenes.

A Scrutiny of Government Statements

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1. The AfD's substantial election boost has granted them the opportunity to deliver the opposition's initial critique in Prime Minister Markus Söder's (CSU) first government statement of the legislative period.
2. Söder, as the CSU leader, is preparing for his 21st government declaration, where he will outline Bavaria's current state and future aspirations. Coronavirus pandemic responses, among other issues, may feature in his address.
3. Despite the Greens' previous first-reply privilege, the AfD eagerly seeks to have one of their parliamentary group members elected as Vice President of the state parliament. They've pursued this goal since entering the state legislature but have yet to garner the necessary votes.
4. Prime Minister Söder's government statements have been instrumental in explaining drastic pandemic-related interventions affecting everyday life and fundamental rights.
5. The AfD's lack of support for Vice President Matthias Vogler at the October constituent session indicates tense relations between the CSU and the AfD within the newly-elected Bavarian parliament.