Mr. Schmidt, which topics are decisive for your cross on the ballot paper?

Ina Lockhart

Editor on duty at FAZ.NET.

  • Follow I follow

Digitization is an important topic for me. It should also be made possible for companies in rural areas to be connected to the broadband network via the normal connection route. In my day-to-day work, I have seen my employer finally connect a location via radio relay in order to find a solution in a timely manner. The company had to make the associated investments alone. When it comes to mobility, I would like to see a traffic turnaround in which local public transport offers us customers more efficient connections as an alternative to the car. Climate change is also a high priority for me. However, I attach importance to a policy that proceeds with a sense of proportion and technical understanding and that does not moralize climate protection.

Which of the debates about which you discussed in the context of “Germany Talks” worries you most?

The gender issue.

Linguistically and aesthetically, that's an imposition for me.

Adding asterisks or a colon to words is patronizing in my view.

Did the debate with your “Germany speaks” partner help you make your choice?

No.

but it was important to me to get to know other people with different opinions.

I can understand her better now.

I became aware of new aspects with certain topics.

It was also an interesting experience that I agreed with the person I was talking to that our health system had to be improved.

But we had controversial opinions about the need for corona protective measures.

I was more critical, my interlocutor more supportive.

Instead, where do you look for guidance for your choice?

I seek conversation with friends and acquaintances.

In addition, I observe in my everyday life where there are deficits and where there is a need for action.

And then I see how the parties want to resolve these grievances.

That's why I read the party and election programs.

I don't watch the triell debates on television, they are too much of a show for me.

Newspapers and radio are my information channels.

Do you choose by party or person?

Are you loyal to the party or are you voting on a change?

I'm more of a swap voter.

I don't vote by person, but by party.

I rate the parties according to their programs.

What is important to me is what is written there.

Scholz, Laschet, Baerbock and Lindner are only people for me.

Which two adjectives would you use to describe the election campaign?

Striking and superficial.

Do you already know who you will vote for?

I will keep the decision open until the end.

The only thing that is certain for me is that I will not vote for the Greens.

I don't cast my vote by letter, but at the polling station.

For me as an East German in particular, this is an important ritual to consciously use the privilege of being able to choose freely.

Thomas Schmidt works as an IT businessman.

The 45-year-old lives near Potsdam and has so far had two conversations as part of “Germany speaks”.

Arrangements for a third debate are in progress.