One would also wish for the Prime Minister of Saxony to have the clarity that Michael Kretschmer praised for Annalena Baerbock, "with which you represent Germany in this difficult phase".

With a clear message, he could have smothered the AfD-related enthusiasm for Putin that is widespread in his state and that, along with other similar aberrations, has made it difficult for him to govern for years.

One would have expected that from Kretschmer, because he prides himself on his talent for communication.

Instead, Kretschmer spoke at Baerbock's side of "moderation" that should be maintained in relation to Russia, of a "conflict" in Ukraine instead of war.

He miserably missed the opportunity offered to Kretschmer.

Not even in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania would the government have thought of continuing to conjure up the old gas connections to Russia in such a clumsy way.

In Saxony, this is made even more difficult by the fact that all Pegida epigones on the right-wing fringes now feel encouraged to continue to uphold their history-blurring admiration for Putin.

The fact that Kretschmer combined his stumbled speech with the welcome to Ukraine refugees makes things even worse.

Baerbock stood by with a look that you don't know: was it pity or contempt?