The Chancellor found clear words behind closed doors. “60 to 70 percent of people in Germany will be infected with the Corona virus,” said Angela Merkel (65, CDU) yesterday at the Union parliamentary group meeting.
Apart from the microphones, Merkel speaks about the crisis – but the public is still waiting in vain for Chancellor’s plain text on Corona.
As the German economy switches to crisis mode and the country reports the first corona deaths, the Chancellor dives down. It is urgently needed in the confusion of viruses!
In NRW, fans are not allowed into the stadium on Saturday at the Ruhr derby Dortmund against Schalke. Ghost game! BUT on the same day in Berlin Union should play against Bayern Munich in front of a sold out house. At least, authorities promise that.
The chaos continues: Bavaria, NRW, Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate yesterday prohibited ALL events with more than 1000 participants for the time being. No more operas, concerts, sports events. Meanwhile, other federal states are keeping a low profile, there organizers are (still) planning …
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The fact is: Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (39, CDU) only RECOMMENDED to cancel large events. The Federal Minister may NOT order more.
► CSU boss Markus Söder (53) warns: “There must be no chaos of competence.” But that has long been the case …
Protection against infection is a national issue. Even smaller: In the end, around 400 municipal health offices decide whether an event takes place or not. This is also emphasized by the head of Union Berlin, Dirk Zingler (55): Whether ghost game or not, “it is not Mr. Spahn who decides, but the Treptow-Köpenick health department”.
Where’s the Chancellor’s word of power?
Andrew Ullmann (57, FDP), MP and infectologist, says: “It would be important now that Chancellor Merkel promises to secure health and prosperity and implement appropriate measures, as during the 2008 financial crisis.”
The Chancellor knows how plain text works. At the beginning of February, she spoke a word of power from South Africa for the election of the Prime Minister in Thuringia: The result had to “be undone”. In THE crisis, she didn’t care that she was no longer responsible for party affairs as the ex-CDU leader.
But especially in the corona crisis, Merkel leaves the crisis communication to her health minister, who comes to the press every day. Critics of Spahn’s recommendations are more visible to the public than the Chancellor.
Nobody expects the Chancellor to abolish federalism. Historically, the distribution of power is a lesson from the Nazi dictatorship and can only be overridden in the event of war.
► And: Local authorities often know better what is appropriate on site – and generally do not need instructions from Berlin.
► Just: The Corona crisis shows that federalism in the fight against epidemics reaches its limits without clear leadership …
This is how our neighbors are coping with the crisis
While Merkel is staying out of the corona crisis without a speech, without an appearance, without leadership, the heads of state and government of our neighbors are cracking down:
Austria is serious, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (33, ÖVP) is tough in the fight against Corona! The entry from Italy, which is particularly badly infected by the virus, stops short. Exceptions are ONLY possible with a medical certificate. Austrian citizens who are currently in Italy will be brought back. After that, they have to be in domestic isolation for two weeks.
In addition, events in closed buildings with more than 100 people will be PROHIBITED until early April. The ban applies to outdoor events with more than 500 participants.
The Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte (55) meanwhile declared all of Italy to be a restricted area: Only those who give good reasons (work, emergencies, health reasons) and who have a permit can travel. All sporting events are also prohibited: League A is stopped. Bars and restaurants must be closed after 6 p.m. Masses, weddings, baptisms and funerals are prohibited.
In France, protective measures for President Emmanuel Macron (42) are strengthened after Minister of Culture Franck Riester has announced his corona infection. Nevertheless, Macron yesterday visited a children’s hospital in Paris that has a Corona emergency center.
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