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It was only a few days ago that parliamentary group leader Anton Hofreiter once again delivered a template to all those who like to hang the banning party label on his Greens.

In an interview, Hofreiter was at least unhappy about possible building bans on single-family houses, and Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) promptly transformed this: "The Greens remain a party that likes to deal with bans instead of finding technological solutions." Instead of a sensible concept to submit, the eco-party is of the opinion, "with the appeal to renounce it is done".

But now the SPD itself is pilloried as a renunciation party.

The reason is an interview with co-party leader Saskia Esken.

It has been going on in the party since it was published.

Because in the conversation Esken philosophizes about how you get more of it if you treat yourself to less mobility by car and plane or less meat.

Esken had spoken to “Die Zeit” about climate protection and mobility, among other things.

At the end, the editorial team put the heading “Nobody has to fly within Germany ...” above the text.

And now Esken's SPD is standing alongside the Greens as the second renouncing party.

At least that's how a number of Social Democrats see it.

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Experienced communicators inculcate three basic rules for top politicians when appearing in the press: Never answer the question you are asked.

Always have a message.

And lastly, remember that timing is often more important than content.

In the current case, Saskia Esken broke two of the three rules.

Does meat belong on the index?

She not only answered clearly - which speaks for her honesty, but not for tactical instinct - the party leader had chosen the worst possible timing for her statements.

And that weighs much more heavily than their actual statements.

Because they are basically reasonable.

Do you have to fly within Germany?

No, you don't have to on most routes.

Is it calling for a general ban on short journeys?

She doesn't, only she prefers to take the train herself.

Does meat belong on the index?

No, she doesn't eat one herself and doesn't want to spoil anyone's appetite.

But you have to think about CO2 emissions in agriculture and animal welfare in view of factory farming.

This of course spoils your appetite - but everyone can do whatever they want.

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It is true that the interviewers had to struggle a little until they had Esken in the corner they wanted them in.

But in the end it was her.

You have to think about how you can even gain quality of life by doing without: “That goes for driving, for flying and for meat,” said Esken.

Snap shut.

And then there was the said sentence: "Nobody has to fly within Germany."

One can argue about such theses.

Just not now.

And not like that.

Now that Hofreiter is trying, desperately after his interview, to shake off the reputation of the destroyer of all dreams of building houses.

After Esken's deputy Kevin Kühnert, the former Juso boss, was also massively turned through the mangle in 2019 after a “Zeit” interview.

Kühnert's thoughts on more socialism in general, BMW in particular, and the demand that there should be no capitalist owners of this company for a democratic distribution of profits resulted in the sentence: "Juso boss wants to nationalize BMW."

This had caused headshakes across the country and cost the Social Democrats reputation and certainly more votes.

Because the SPD's regular electorate once stood in the car factories.

And they prefer to hear how the industry is managing the transformation, rather than calls for expropriation and nationalization.

And certainly not now, in the crisis.

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But now, of all times, in this unprecedented crisis triggered by Corona, Esken is talking about renunciation.

At a time when millions of people have to do without everything every day.

Among other things, flying and driving a car.

In a situation in which we should all be aware that, even after Corona, we will never fly as naturally as before.

That the consequences of the pandemic will limit our mobility for a long time to come, perhaps permanently.

Being mobile is a basic human need, a basis for economic prosperity.

Debate about racism in the police continues

With her accusation of “latent racism” among the police, the SPD party chairman Saskia Esken sparked heated discussions about racism among the police.

Esken is now entering into a dialogue with officials.

Source: WELT / David Schafbuch

Saskia Esken will know all of this; she grew up in the shadow of the Daimler, Porsche and Bosch plants.

So what drives you to make such statements?

Is there a lack of political instinct?

Or is it the desire to provoke?

Esken once put the police under general suspicion of racism.

And about a year ago, IG Metall was offended with the vehement veto against a purchase bonus for new cars.

And as a social democrat irritating IG Metall is how, as a Catholic clergyman, you mess with the Pope.

Now you can challenge the police and trade unionists, which is particularly dangerous for the SPD, but a manageable feud.

But it is a declaration of war on a large part of the people to spoil the Germans with sausages and carts, because these are two of the pillars on which this country rests.

Seen in this light, it is therefore unwise to even hint at a renunciation debate, especially in a super election year with a decisive federal election and in view of the weak poll numbers.

"I would not have recommended these answers to Saskia Esken," says one of the top comrades angrily.

“Unspeakable, this interview,” grumbles another.

“People have other worries right now.

And the SPD has more important issues to take care of, such as investments and innovations. ”Of course, traveling by train in Germany is more environmentally sound than flying, says a third party.

“But in order to make flights obsolete, the train has to get better.

And that is the job of politics, our job.

And not that of preaching renunciation. "