Boris Rhein (CDU), the new prime minister of the black-green coalition, made a commitment in his government statement on Tuesday: "Climate protection is without a doubt at the heart of our politics." He named local public transport as the central building block for climate-neutral mobility .

Rhein reminded that more than half of all Hessians could already get discounted flat-rate tickets.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

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The state government wants to continue this line with a "municipal ticket" for all employees of the cities, municipalities and districts in the state.

The state government is currently negotiating with the transport associations about the financing of local public transport, Rhein reported.

In this context, the municipal umbrella organizations will be offered talks about the municipal ticket and its financing as part of the financing contract with municipalities and transport associations.

The Union politician also announced the greater expansion of solar energy on the roofs of the buildings in which the state administration is housed.

He emphasized Hessen's role as an industrial location and particularly emphasized the automotive industry.

You have to struggle with difficulties, but at the same time you have to be the engine of the transformation.

Strengthen Hessen as a location for sustainable mobility

"We want to strengthen Hessen as a location for sustainable mobility and at the same time as Frankfurt as a trade fair location," said Rhein.

That is why he will also work “very personally” to bring the International Motor Show that had migrated to Munich back to Frankfurt.

"I can't predict if that will work, but we have to at least try."

Rhein praised the "unique path" that Hesse took with the establishment of the Digital Ministry.

He describes it as a "central pillar when it comes to further increasing the attractiveness of rural areas in Hesse".

It serves the goal of equal living conditions in town and country if the health care in the area is improved.

Every Hessian has to “reach a hospital within 30 minutes in an emergency,” says Rhein.

The state government wants to convene a hospital summit that should include the experiences of the corona pandemic.

"The Hessian judiciary is heavily burdened," Rhein stated.

In doing so, he addressed a debate that had contributed to the Union politician Eva Kühne-Hörmann being replaced at the head of the Ministry of Justice by the Court President Roman Poseck (CDU).

Rhein announced a "Pact for the Rule of Law".

The job situation in the judiciary will be significantly improved and the attractiveness of the judiciary for junior staff increased.

The new head of government named problems that he himself helped to cause, stated the chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, Günter Rudolph.

Although Rhein was a jovial president of the state parliament, he was also a power politician who should now ensure the supremacy of the Union.

And he was "part of 23 years of CDU politics".

No talk of politics for women

The demand for equal living conditions in town and country is in contrast to the composition of the cabinet.

"Northern and East Hesse do not take place there." This can be seen, for example, in the poor condition of the roads to be maintained by the state.

The upper center of Kassel could be considered as the location of a state authority, said Rudolph, who comes from northern Hesse.

Instead, however, the finance minister only shifts officials from one office to the next.

The Digital Ministry is just "a better department of the State Chancellery," said the opposition leader.

Minister Kristina Sinemus (CDU) lacked the necessary skills to assert herself.

Rudolph correctly named the hospital summit announced by Rhein.

But when the SPD asked for it two years ago, the proposal was "coldly rejected" by the government.

Rudolph complained that Rhein had “not said a word about the future of the Gießen and Marburg University Hospital”.

There was also no talk of a policy for women.

Rudolph warned Rhein not to be overconfident.

"Overconfidence is always harmful."