Prime Minister, you have repeatedly campaigned for a woman to be a candidate for the office of Federal President. Why a CDU candidate? Why not a CSU candidate?
Now that the CDU has the first female chancellor, the first female defense minister and the first female EU commission president, I think it is almost logical that we should also make the proposal for the first female federal president.
The question of who it will be exactly is not an issue now.
Olaf Scholz has set up an equal cabinet - doesn't that count?
The triple head of the traffic light is made up of Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck and Christian Lindner, but all male.
That is why it would also be a good signal for social peace and reconciliation if the Union were to enforce a female president.
The mood in Germany has completely changed in the past few weeks. Suddenly the SPD is well ahead of the CDU in surveys in NRW and in the federal government. How do you explain this turnaround?
After 16 years in the federal government, a new election, in particular with a change in personnel, is subject to a special justification.
We have not been able to provide that justification and that is what led to this result.
In polls, the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia is in second place in the election campaign. Do you like to see yourself in the role of having to catch up?
The surveys are volatile and currently reflect very little country politics.
But: I like the sporting challenge.
How are you going to turn the mood?
I'm really not worried about campaigning at the moment, tackling the fourth wave of the pandemic and protecting people is my priority.
Leading the people in North Rhine-Westphalia through this second Corona winter will keep us busy for a while.
Will Corona be the decisive issue?
I hope not, because there are also many other important future topics that are worth taking part in political competition: for example, preserving a safe country, a policy with a deep understanding of the everyday life of families, the combination of climate protection and an industrial location with good ones Jobs and social security.
What do you expect from the new CDU federal chairman? Program work or rather opposition?
Both. A party that has ruled for so long and is now in the opposition in the federal government must use this time for fundamental conceptual and above all substantive work. But of course the people also have a right to a strong opposition to this new majority in the Bundestag. The CDU must again be the social conscience in the German party landscape, regardless of who the chairman is. The politics of the three traffic light parties are very urban. But we should also focus on the social issues of all those who do not live in big cities. What about the costs of mobility, with good education, with building and living or in general: How can you guarantee a good life away from the metropolises?
When the CDU was in opposition in NRW, there was a basic process for formulating a basic program. Can that be a role model for the federal party?
The CDU has agreed to resume this stalled process.
I absolutely supported that.
Who is your favorite for the CDU chairmanship?