Rhein wants to have a say in the K question
Hesse’s Prime Minister teases Merz
8/27/2023 1:02 am
Boris Rhein has not yet won his state elections, but the Hessian Prime Minister is already generously giving good advice to the CDU leader. Merz could learn in Wiesbaden how to deal with the Greens and the AfD. The head of state also wants to have a say in the selection of the candidate for chancellor.
Around six weeks before the state elections in Hesse, Prime Minister Boris Rhein has claimed a say in the decision on the Union’s next candidacy for chancellor. “The state chairmen and prime ministers want to have a decisive say in the chancellor candidacy,” the CDU politician told the Funke newspapers. “The Presidium of the CDU would be a suitable place for this.” When asked what role the CSU played in the decision, Rhein said: “Of course, the chairman of the CSU must be involved.” In Bavaria, there will be elections at the same time as Hesse on October 8th.
Rhein showed sympathy for CSU leader Markus Söder’s call for the candidate for chancellor to be determined only after the state elections in Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia in September 2024. “Then we can decide in peace,” he said in justification.
The Hessian Prime Minister also mentioned qualities that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s challenger should bring with him. “The Union needs a chancellor candidate that the entire party supports and who also inspires the entire party,” he said. “The basic prerequisite for success is that you are motivated when you go into the federal election.”
“My advice on dealing with the Greens”
Rhein, who governs in Hesse with the Greens, gave his party leader Friedrich Merz advice on a possible alliance with the eco-party: “A coalition with the Greens works if you stick to two simple rules. Firstly, both partners must be clear that the coalition agreement applies – no matter what happens. And secondly: you have to discuss everything behind closed doors and then come out with an opinion.” He expressly added: “That would be my advice on dealing with the Greens, if Friedrich Merz asks me.”
With a view to Merz’s statement that the Greens were the main opponent of the Union in the traffic light, Rhein said: “At the state level we have constructive, functioning coalitions with the Greens – for ten years in Hesse too. In the state elections, the Greens are one not to be underestimated competitor, but not the main opponent.”
Rhein ruled out cooperation with the AfD at all political levels. “We cannot work with the AfD and certainly not form a coalition,” he told the newspapers. “What shocks me the most is this party’s brutally anti-European course. It’s an attack on the European peace project and the prosperity of our export nation.” When asked about the municipalities, he added: “We do not agree to any AfD applications – at any political level.”