Solidarity with the right winger? After Andreas Scheuer, Dorothee Bär is now also defending the visit to Florida’s controversial governor Ron DeSantis. And suddenly the trip seems almost like a peace mission.
When the CSU sends a delegation abroad, the accompanying media concert usually sounds more piano. Presumably, no one would have noticed that a small Bavarian tour group was in the US state of Florida last week. But since ex-Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer posted a photo on social media showing him and fellow parliamentary group members Florian Hahn and Dorothee Bär, the media soundtrack to the trip sounds a lot like hard rock.
CSU has a beer mug for the governor
In addition to Scheuer, the posting showed the CSU members of the Bundestag Dorothee Bär and Florian Hahn as they handed Ron DeSantis, the controversial governor of Florida, their souvenir: a Bavarian beer mug with a Bavarian-American flag motif. DeSantis seems to like the pitcher. And Scheuer DeSantis. In any case, he praised the governor’s “strong strategic and foreign policy assessments”.
The scenery seems a little too peaceful to necessarily assume the finale of the critical debate that could have been held with DeSantis. Many are of the opinion: must. About his ultra-conservative, evangelical politics; a recently tightened abortion law that only allows abortions up to the sixth week of pregnancy; the ban on dealing with the subject of sexual orientation in school lessons. DeSantis is not just any provincial ruler, he is considered the most promising Trump opponent in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
And so one is now a friend of the CSU? Twitter Germany foamed. “The Union unmasks what kind of brainchild they are: the far right is being ensnared,” scolded Katja Mast from the SPD. For Scheuer initially nothing more than “left culture of excitement”, motto: People will probably still be allowed to talk to each other, like among transatlanticists. His statements on Monday now sound less reserved: “I share DeSantis’ analyses, which may shock some, but I stand by that,” said Scheuer to the news portal “T-Online”. “The people I meet have completely different concerns than climate hysteria or gender issues.”
Dorothee Bär rejects criticism
So shared analysis. And climate hysteria. That doesn’t sound quite as relaxed, nor quite as distant. Less for diplomacy than for the close ranks, which the tour group was assumed to have anyway.
Dorothee Bär, deputy chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, who traveled with him, now rejects this accusation. They spoke openly to each other and “of course also expressed criticism,” said Bär dem star. “Ron DeSantis is undoubtedly a controversial Republican, but as Governor of Florida he is an influential politician who is said to have the potential to thwart a second term for Trump and become the next American president.”
Whether a US President DeSantis would appear more desirable than another round of Trump is highly controversial, but of course it cannot be ruled out. “Building channels of dialogue with him is therefore in our own transatlantic and European interest. In order to secure peace in Europe for the future and – in view of the war in Ukraine – to restore it, we are absolutely dependent on the Americans.”
In this sense, the “business trip” (bear) coordinated with the parliamentary group was almost an anticipatory peace mission.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
