campaign - Woidke criticizes Wagenknecht - empty words instead of hard work
Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke expresses optimism for the SPD two months before the state election, yet holds the SPD-led Federal Government accountable for the somewhat negative mood in the state. "We currently have a Federal Government that unfortunately failed to radiate security and stability," Woidke told the German Press Agency. He is open to talks with the BSW, but criticizes party chair Sahra Wagenknecht: "I haven't noticed much craftsmanship from her so far, but ultimately, politics is craftsmanship."
Question: Is governing still enjoyable?
Answer: It's a huge burden, but there's a great satisfaction in what's happening in the state. Brandenburg has never developed so successfully as in the last few years. It's a phase of reindustrialization that we were able to initiate. We've managed to add more industrial jobs every year, and I'm proud of that. That's why governing in this state brings joy.
Question: Why is the mood so poor despite the economic growth in Brandenburg, which is above the national average?
Answer: There's a clear divergence between the situation and the mood. That has something to do with the fact that we had to deal with crises in the past few years, which still resonate today. The Russian attack on Ukraine causes many concerns and fears among the people in the state. And unfortunately, we currently have a Federal Government that hasn't managed to radiate security and stability - in a time when Germany is facing so many crises as never before.
Question: At the SPD state party conference, you said, "We are the political force that right-wing extremists tremble at." How do you assess the situation for the SPD before the election?
Answer: The polls are similar to five years ago. Few weeks before the State Parliament election, people react to federal politics. Democracy is simple: If the people of Brandenburg want me as Minister-President, they have to elect me and I will continue to take on the responsibility. More than 50% of the people would elect me as Minister-President according to the latest polls. I am convinced that we will make it.
Question: Would you like the Chancellor to participate in the SPD campaign?
Answer: We've been fortunate in Brandenburg not to need to bring in rescued celebrities. If we clearly want to emphasize that it's about Brandenburg in the campaign, it's clear that we'll focus on Brandenburg-SPD. It's ultimately about who leads our country and who is the captain on the bridge.
Question: The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht is running for the first time in the state election. How do you rate Sahra Wagenknecht?
Answer: In politics, there are two major lines: rhetoric and craftsmanship. When things go well, they fit together or both come into play. Mrs. Wagenknecht I know only as a speaker, as an SED and Left Party functionary with a bit of DDR nostalgia. With craftsmanship, she hasn't stood out to me yet, but ultimately, politics is craftsmanship. I believe it's part of her strategy that she reveals a lot, so that all wishes and expectations are focused on her. In Brandenburg, Sahra Wagenknecht is not running personally, so she cannot be elected here.
Question: Is the BSW a coalition option for the SPD?
Answer: The BSW is not a coalition partner for us in Brandenburg. We have a clear red-red-green coalition agreement, and we will implement it in the next legislative period. We will continue to focus on the issues that are important to the people of Brandenburg, such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. We believe that this coalition is the best option for our state.
Response: If the BSW wants to prove that it can govern, then we may have to talk to the BSW. However, in government affairs, pragmatism is required in the end. In the state of Brandenburg, the migration question or the future of Ukraine will not be decided. However, Wagenknecht is hitting an open nerve. The federal government must clearly state that it is making every effort to ensure that this terrible war ends as soon as possible and a diplomatic solution is found that guarantees the freedom and independence of Ukraine, but also secures a lasting peace. It is important that Germany plays a stronger role again, especially as a mediator for such a peace solution.
- Dietmar Woidke, the Minister-President of Brandenburg, is open to talks with the BSW, but has criticized their party chair Sahra Wagenknecht for lacking craftsmanship in politics.
- The Federal Government, led by the SPD, has been held accountable by Woidke for the somewhat negative mood in the state of Brandenburg before the State Election.
- The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht is running for the first time in the state election in Brandenburg, and Woidke has only known her as a speaker and DDR nostalgic functionary.
- According to the latest polls, more than 50% of the people in Brandenburg would elect Woidke as Minister-President, and he is confident that the SPD will make it in the State Parliament election.
- Woidke has stated that Germany needs to play a stronger role in ensuring a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine, and that the federal government must make efforts to secure the freedom and independence of Ukraine.
- The SPD-led Federal Government has failed to radiate security and stability, and this has contributed to the negative mood in Brandenburg before the State Election, according to Woidke.
- The SPD state party conference in Brandenburg saw Woidke saying that the party is the political force that right-wing extremists tremble at, and that he will continue to take on responsibility if elected as Minister-President.
- If the BSW wants to prove that it can govern, Woidke may have to talk to them, but the SPD has a clear red-red-green coalition agreement and will focus on issues important to the people of Brandenburg.
- The German Press Agency reported Woidke's optimism for the SPD's chances in the State Election, despite the somewhat negative mood in the state due in part to the Federal Government's failure to radiate security and stability.
- The campaign for the State Election in Brandenburg will focus on who leads the country and who is the captain on the bridge, according to Woidke, and the SPD will not need to bring in rescued celebrities to help their campaign.
