“Majority opinion – mine too”
Kretschmer opposes Merz when it comes to arms deliveries
05/03/2022, 08:08 am
CDU leader Merz is driving the traffic light coalition with the demand for arms deliveries. Saxony’s Prime Minister Kretschmer is now proving to be a brake: he does not want to cede heavy weapons to Ukraine and sees himself as part of a majority.
Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer from the CDU has spoken out against the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine – in contrast to his party leader Friedrich Merz. In a joint presidium meeting of the CDU and CSU, Kretschmer said according to “Bild” that the Union had to “take this position into account”. It does not reflect “the majority of published opinions”, but the “majority opinion of society – including mine”.
The “image” relied on information from participants and a spokesman for the Prime Minister. Kretschmer went on to say that there was every reason to help Ukraine, if necessary with weapons. “But it’s about enforcing a ceasefire. Russia will also be a reality after that.” In addition, Kretschmer warned of the effects of tough sanctions. These “meet us for the most part ourselves.”
According to the newspaper, Merz replied: “There are different opinions, I have a different one.” Merz plans to travel to Kyiv this week to demonstrate his support for the Ukrainian government. The CDU party leader had accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD of hesitating because he did not want to deliver heavy weapons to Kyiv for a long time. However, representatives of the traffic light coalition accuse Merz of pursuing party political purposes with the trip. Scholz himself is critical of his own visit to Kyiv after Ukraine uninvited President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.