Debate with top candidates - Kretschmer accuses the Greens of ideological hypocrisy
The seven leading candidates for the Saxon state election met for the first time in a debate. Michael Kretschmer (CDU), Jörg Urban (AfD), Susanne Schaper (Left), Katja Meier (Greens), Petra Köpping (SPD), Sabine Zimmermann (BSW), and Robert Malorny (FDP) discussed energy transition, the war in Ukraine, education, and security. The event in Dresden was organized by "Sächsische Zeitung", "Freie Presse", and "Leipziger Volkszeitung".
Kretschmer: Energy transition failed
The discussion became heated right from the start with the topic of energy transition. Minister President Kretschmer accused the Green coalition partner of wearing "ideological blinkers". "With the Greens, it's not about what's reasonable, what's economically right. It's only about the party program," he said.
The energy transition as it is currently being pursued has failed, he said, and needs to be reset. "We'll get it done, but we have to remove all ideological blinkers." We also need to talk about nuclear power and domestic gas.
Meier: "Brakes from the CDU"
Katja Meier, Minister of Justice and Green Party candidate, disagreed with Kretschmer. The energy transition has not failed. The CDU and SPD had only planned the exit from nuclear power and coal, not the entry into renewable energies. The Greens, however, had done just that at the federal and state levels. Without "the brakes from the CDU", we would have been faster in expanding wind power.
Meier also clashed with AfD candidate Jörg Urban on this topic. Urban said that further expansion of renewable energies would make electricity even more expensive. The energy transition is dependent on subsidies, which burden the economy. Meier strongly rejected this view. "If anything has been heavily subsidized over decades, it's nuclear power," she said.
War in Ukraine: Kretschmer advocates diplomacy
There were also clear differences in how to deal with the war in Ukraine. Kretschmer wants to end it through diplomacy. "It's so crucial that the guns finally fall silent."
Urban from the AfD accused the West of lacking interest in peace negotiations with Russia, which had been prevented by supporting Ukrainian President Selenskyj. Zimmermann, chairwoman of the BSV, called for an end to war rhetoric. Negotiating is the most important thing we can do. "Peace can only be achieved with Russia."
Left candidate Schaper also wants to work towards diplomatic solutions. Further arms deliveries will not bring peace.
Köpping: "It takes two"
All candidates wanted peace for Ukraine, Meier noted. There is an urgent need for peace efforts, but: "The one who doesn't want to sit at the negotiating table is Vladimir Putin," Meier said. Social Democrat Köpping sees it similarly: "Of course, negotiations are necessary, but it takes two to tango."
FDP candidate Malorny pointed out: "The decision to negotiate lies with Ukraine and Russia, no one else." Germany is not negotiating, but must ask itself whether it will watch as Ukraine disappears from the map.
Kretschmer's proposed reset for the energy transition includes discussing topics like nuclear power and domestic gas. (from Kretschmer: "Energy transition" has failed)
Meier countered Kletschmer's criticism by stating that without the CDU's "brakes," the expansion of renewable energies would have progressed faster. (from Meier: "Brakes from the CDU")
