Hesse's Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) wants to remain completely in office in a re-election the upcoming term, but then retire from politics. "I've always said that if the good Lord and my wife let me (...), then I would like to continue this period," he said five days before the state election in a panel discussion at the station Hitradio FFH in Bad Vilbel. "I want to do that - and then it's good too."
Bouffier turns 67 in December. In Hesse, every five years is elected. Bouffier rules with the Greens. A continuation of the coalition is, however, according to recent surveys, questionable because of weak CDU values.
Meanwhile, CDU leader Angela Merkel warned against too much inferences of the Hessian state election on the federal government and their own future. "It can not be styled every Landtag election then to a small federal election.That is wrong.There is much for the citizens of Hesse," the Chancellor said in an interview with HR.Info on Tuesday.
Background are speculation that strong losses of the CDU or a replacement of Bouffier in the vote on Sunday could jeopardize their re-election as CDU leader in December at the federal party.
With a view to discussions of who could follow her at the CDU leadership, Merkel said she was "not worried" at all. The CDU has "a great offer". Merkel referred to CDU prime ministers and the younger ministers of her cabinet. It was always important to her that those who do something outstanding could show what was in them, she said, referring to the new secretary general, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, and the new Union faction leader, Ralph Brinkhaus. At the same time, Merkel emphasized: "Otherwise, I enjoy my work." She had hinted that she would once again be chairing the CDU party conference in December.
Asked to what extent she is preparing her own succession, Merkel said: "All attempts to have those who worked today or in the past want to determine their succession have always gone awry, and that's the right thing to do."