state politics - CDU-State Leader: Alcohol ride burdens campaign start
The CDU in Brandenburg is aggressively entering the state election campaign despite Spitzenkandidate Jan Redmann being stopped by the police while riding an e-scooter with a 1.3 per mille alcohol level. Redmann, who is also the state and faction leader, told the German Press Agency that he wants to become Minister-President and challenge Dietmar Woidke of the coalition partner SPD. However, the first campaign posters only focus on content.
Last week, Redmann was stopped by the police while riding his e-scooter to his apartment in Potsdam, according to his own account. "I'm aware that this is a very relevant, dominating issue that will certainly also burden the start of the campaign," Redmann said to the German Press Agency. "But there are still around two months until the state election. I want to use this time to convince the people of the CDU. I want to give double the effort now."
CDU opposes the traffic light in the federal government
The CDU is campaigning for the state election on September 22 under the slogan "Your land can do better." "We want to be a countermodel to this traffic light politics in Brandenburg," Redmann said. "Whoever wants this countermodel and still wants to give their vote in the upcoming spectrum, they must vote CDU." He warned against a sharpening of the focus on the AfD as an opponent. It's not enough for parties to only hook each other on the AfD.
The first posters from the CDU focus on better medical care in rural areas, a boost for the economy, more focus on core subjects in schools, and a different political style. The CDU is part of the state government since 2019 with the SPD and Greens.
Redmann denies lying about police control
The Spitzenkandidat denied the allegation of lying regarding the police control. "No concrete reason for the control was given to me," Redmann said. The "Märkische Allgemeine" had quoted an internal police report that Redmann was controlled "due to his driving behavior." Links faction leader Sebastian Walter told the "Rheinische Post": "Instead of being open from the beginning about what exactly happened, he is trying to stage himself as an honest broom-wielding man with the help of a lie." SPD and Greens had previously put pressure on Redmann.
- Despite the incident involving Spitzenkandidat Jan Redmann being stopped by the police for an alcohol ride on an E-Scooter in Potsdam, the CDU is pushing aggressively for the Brandenburg state election campaign.
- The CDU is positioning itself against the 'traffic light' politics in Brandenburg, with Redmann aiming to become Minister-President and challenge incumbent Dietmar Woidke of the SPD.
- The first campaign posters from the CDU focus on improving medical care in rural areas, boosting the economy, prioritizing core subjects in schools, and adopting a different political style.
- The CDU, as part of the Brandenburg state government since 2019, governs alongside the SPD and Greens.
- Redmann has denied lying about the police control incident, claiming no concrete reason was given for the stop, contradicting reports stating his E-Scooter was checked due to his driving behavior.
- The SPD and Greens had previously put pressure on Redmann following the police control incident, with links faction leader Sebastian Walter criticizing Redmann's response.
- The CDU is arguing against a sharpening of focus on the extremist party, AfD, during the campaign, warning against the tactic of only hooking opponents on the AfD.
- The AfD, a right-wing, populist party, is a significant presence in German politics, often drawing attention and controversy in state elections.
- Germany is preparing for several key elections in 2021, with the Brandenburg state election and the federal election scheduled for September 26.
