Kretschmer calls for several ministerial posts for the East

The Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, is calling for several ministerial posts in a black-red coalition to be filled by East German politicians. The East must "be represented by federal ministers in the next federal government. There is no other way," the deputy federal chairman of the CDU told the German Press Agency in Berlin. This "is also what this large region with its special challenges demands".

"The percentage of the population should also be reflected in the federal government," said Kretschmer, who is a member of the core negotiating team of the CDU, CSU and SPD for a new government. It needs "several federal ministers from the new federal states". When asked whether Black-Red would then arrive with three ministers from eastern Germany in view of the 15 ministries to date, Kretschmer replied: "Why should you sell yourself short?"

Praise for the work of Schneider and Geywitz

Kretschmer praised the work of Carsten Schneider, the Thuringian Commissioner for Eastern Germany in the coalition government, and Klara Geywitz, the acting Minister of Construction from Potsdam (both SPD). Schneider, who is Minister of State in the Chancellery, has "done a great job" and has always been approachable regardless of his party affiliation. Geywitz was "the smartest woman in the cabinet". The CDU politician added: "I was very fond of her and also greatly appreciated her expertise."

Kretschmer said that the future chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) would have to decide whether there would also be a commissioner for the East in the chancellor's office if there were several ministers from East Germany. There was a palpable desire in the East to be represented by federal ministers in the cabinet. The large mainstream parties CDU and SPD "will have to deliver". There are many personalities who could be considered for such ministerial posts.

For a drastic reduction in the number of government appointees

Merz had called for a reduction in the size of the state apparatus during the election campaign and also mentioned the federal government appointees in this context. He said that they only promised to solve problems "that we wouldn't have without them". Merz named a figure of 34 commissioners at the time.

Kretschmer also spoke out in favor of drastically reducing the number of commissioners in a future government. "If you have one or two commissioners, it shows that you set priorities, that things are important to you. If you have 10 or 20, it's inflation."

In order to reduce emigration from eastern German states and offer incentives for young people, the Union wants to expand the medical infrastructure and science, said Kretschmer. This also applies to the transport infrastructure, such as high-speed train connections.

Dealing with the AfD: Don't become a martyr

When asked what tips he had for dealing with the AfD in the Bundestag, which will be the second-largest parliamentary group after the election, Kretschmer said that the main thing now was to solve problems. This starts with migration and economic policy. But it is also about the question of how to expand wind energy, for example. The problems must be solved intelligently and in consensus with the population. At the same time, everything that "leads to these troops being able to present themselves as martyrs" must be avoided.