"The Hessian government parties are doing their best to sell their black-green coalition as a model for the next federal government," says SPD chairwoman Nancy Faeser.

"In everyday political life, however, black-green is only good as a deterrent example." The fact that the opposition leader in the state parliament is looking at both levels at the same time is an obvious one: the federal election campaign has begun, while the first half of the electoral period ended in Wiesbaden in mid-July leaves and the largest opposition party opens the discussion of the lights and shades of government.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

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    In the foreground of the social democratic criticism is the fight against climate change, which is primarily defined by the small coalition partner.

    The threat is real, says Faeser.

    But in working with the CDU, the Greens would have given up all ambitions.

    "Of the 140 measures announced by Black-Green, just ten have been implemented after half of the electoral period, the expansion of renewable energies has effectively come to a standstill, the much-announced 'traffic turnaround' is not taking place." Climate protection concepts of the Greens nothing left.

    Beuth in sight

    Faeser also reiterates her criticism of Interior Minister Peter Beuth (CDU). His will to clear up the scandals with the police is underdeveloped. He called for a "new culture of error" among the officials, but had shaped the way the authorities deal with errors "in seven long years of office" himself. The Greens remained silent about the incidents. "That no longer has to do with the reasons for a coalition, but with the dignity of the green party."

    The government alliance is not based on a large supply of political commonalities, but on a kind of non-aggression pact, said Faeser. The CDU and the Greens left each other alone and made the lowest common denominator the guideline for governance. This is how one can gain and maintain power. “But you can't use it to shape the future. The paint is off. ”When asked, Faeser admits that the constellation is difficult for the opposition. Scandals have been sat out for decades. Even when the current Prime Minister was still Minister of the Interior, there were reasons for his resignation. But that is basically out of the question in the government to this day. That is why this demand of the opposition is gradually wearing off - even if it is only too justified in Beuth's case.

    Faeser recalls that nine members of the cabinet have a state parliament mandate. They are indispensable because the black-green coalition only governs with a majority of one vote. "As head of government, I would also consider dismissing a minister," said Faeser. Regardless of such consequences, it always depends on how you deal with serious breakdowns. The Minister of Transport is reacting to the collapse of the Wiesbaden Salzbachtal Bridge by only pointing to the responsibility of the federal government and its processes.

    Incidentally, it is fundamentally difficult for a state parliament opposition to be noticed by the general public. For example, the SPD presented a written concept for dealing with the pandemic in April last year. Black-green, on the other hand, turned out to be a "fair weather coalition" that quickly got out of step during the crisis. At first it took far too long for the cabinet to understand the dimensions of the challenge at all, and then dubious decisions were made. “From the schools that were closed for five months to the stumbled start of the vaccination campaign.