Indecisive people like to use the Wahl-O-Mat. Those who want to take more time have a look at the parties’ election manifestos. But what do the top candidates stand for personally and what are their preferences? “Muesli or scrambled eggs?” – that is the question.
“I had a hangover,” says SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. But this sentence has nothing to do with a fat head after a night of partying. Scholz is currently avoiding beverages that make people bumble: “At the moment non-alcoholic beer”, he replies to the question “Beer or wine?”. “I had a hangover” is his answer to the popular pet question “dog or cat?”
In a series of interviews by the “Radiozentrale” in cooperation with the German Press Agency, the Chancellor and top candidates of the parties represented in the Bundestag asked themselves questions on political and private issues. There was only 30 seconds for each of the answers. There were “either-or” and “yes-or-no” questionnaires. The political views are fundamentally different, but privately there are some things in common across party lines.
The cat lovers are slightly in the minority in the comparison of candidates. In addition to Scholz, Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock is one of them. Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet (CDU), FDP top candidate Christian Lindner and left-wing top candidate Dietmar Bartsch tend to prefer dogs. AfD top candidate Tino Chrupalla has “no objection to either species”.
“No half measures” when it comes to the climate
Where the candidates see the biggest political construction sites in Germany is clear: Annalena Baerbock wants “no more halves” when it comes to climate protection, promises an “immediate climate protection program” and calls for “families at last to be the focus of politics”. Armin Laschet wants to prevent tax increases in order to keep jobs, and believes that “Germany lacks speed” when it comes to planning and approval. In addition, the state must trust the people more, “let them do it” and not regulate everything.
The top topic for Olaf Scholz is the minimum wage, “at least 12 euros” (currently 9.60 euros). “Many who do hard work are not paid well. That has to change.” In addition, the SPD candidate for chancellor wants to “guarantee stable pensions” and fight child poverty. FDP top candidate Lindner complains that everywhere only money is distributed, “but how it is generated has completely lost sight of”. Without a strong economy, “all the ecological and social goals of our society are unrealizable dreams”.
AfD candidate Tino Chrupalla calls for “consistent deportation of criminals and migrants”, relief for the middle class and “more masters than masters”. Left-wing top candidate Dietmar Bartsch sees “obscene wealth” in Germany and, on the other hand, “screaming poverty”. In his opinion, this must be offset by a “major tax reform” that would put a greater burden on the rich.
“Lawn mower is fun”
Apart from the political, there is a kind of breakfast coalition among the candidates: With the exception of Armin Laschet, who would opt for muesli, everyone else prefers scrambled eggs. On a sunny weekend, Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner and Dietmar Bartsch would open the deck chair, while the muesli-starched Armin Laschet would prefer to mow the lawn.
“Mowing the lawn is fun, you can see what you’ve achieved,” says the CDU leader. Green chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock and AfD top candidate Tino Chrupalla would rather start the lawnmower than relax in a deck chair. With “beer or wine?” the wine scores with Laschet, Lindner and Baerbock. Bartsch and Chrupalla can be tasted both and Olaf Scholz prefers – see above – currently alcohol-free.
“A world without war and violence”
And how do Chancellor or top candidates react to the question with the fairy godmother: “If you only had one wish, which one would it be?” Armin Laschet says: “A world without war and violence”. SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz would instruct the fairy “that everyone is well paid”. The heartfelt wish of the Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock would be “full pot” climate protection in order to “preserve the earth for our children and grandchildren”.
Christian Lindner would like the “best, greatest educational system in the world” and Dietmar Bartsch a healthy and happy life for his family, and actually for everyone too – “but I’ll start small”. Tino Chrupalla’s wish: “A Germany, but normal” that represents its “national interests”.
Soul and party behind the horizon
The musical tastes are as diverse as the party programs. Olaf Scholz is probably a “soulman”: if he were allowed to choose a song on the radio, it would be “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “because the topic is important to me”. Armin Laschet chooses contemplative tones: “In the fight for a better world:” What a Wonderful World “by Louis Armstrong”.
The party contrast program would come from Annalena Baerbock with “Hey Ya!” from Outkast. Christian Lindner swears by Marius Müller-Westernhagen’s “freedom”, Tino Chrupalla would like a song by Bruce Springsteen – title open. Dietmar Bartsch’s wish would be Udo Lindenberg’s “Horizon”, beyond which, as is well known, things continue. Because: “For most people, September 27th (the day after the election) is a completely normal working day”.
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