Mister Freedid Friedrich Merz actually make a ban on talk show for you?
No, he doesn’t. As always, it is in life: it depends on the right level.
Many of their predecessors worked very well in their time as head of the chancellor. Thomas de Maizére or Ronald Pofalla were rarely seen in public. Will you be similarly discreet?
I am a CDU Federal Minister and not a political eunuch. But I see my role as an honest broker of this federal government. This means that the SPD works as trustingly with me as the Union. I will certainly not endanger that from political advances.
In the summer of 2023, they made the proposal after the abolition of the individual fundamental right asylum Even in parts of your party for outrage. Do you continue to strive for that?
Of course I will hold back with intolerations. It is now about the success of this government. I know the priorities.
Thorsten Frei could have imagined other tasks
You have closely in the parliamentary group Friedrich Merz Worked together, follow him to the Chancellery. What do you see as your central task?
As a government, we have to become able to work very quickly and convince people. We have a new Ministry of Digitization and State Modernization and some changes in other departments. We have to find it quickly. Before the parliamentary summer break, we want to show that the new government is different from the old one. I see my job in making sure that it happens quickly, efficiently and smoothly. Only then will the Union and SPD be successful together.
Many in the Union faction wanted them as parliamentary group leader. Are you more of a man for the second row, for the background?
No. I don’t see myself as a man of the background. But I can do that too. If you know, in doubt there are always more than an attractive task in politics and life satisfaction increases immensely if you like to do what you are doing. There are many ways that lead to Rome.
And what is Rome for you?
(Laughs) I don’t want to answer the question now.
Does she actually get something out of the frame?
That would have to be tried. At some point everyone is at the point where they drive out of the skin. It takes quite long for me.
One has the impression that they could explain a 24-hour blackout in the country with a pastor’s peace rest.
I am not annoyed about things I can’t change. I have learned that in various functions over the years. Incidentally, I believe that everyone can train this.
Almost every day begins with a run round
The previous government was missing a strategic center, it is said. What do you want to do differently than your predecessor?
The old coalition also started with a lot of good will. One should not forget that this was the first triple coalition. We have it easier in pairs, have already worked together in the past – even if we are now very sober in this coalition.
The time when you could have decided reasonably about a construction stop has long been over. We will now find the most cost -effective solution for further construction.
Friedrich Merz said it: no euphoria.
That doesn’t have to be. We need a good working mode and have to concentrate on what connects. Then both sides will score their points.
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder had groaned before moving into the size: “A little smaller too.” Do you stop the expansion of the Chancellery?
I had a very critical look at the expansion. But something is growing out of the ground there. The time when you could have decided reasonably about a construction stop has long been over. We will now find the most cost -effective solution for further construction.
The Chancellery should become smaller again
In 2022 they described the Chancellery as an unnecessary “magnificent building”.
Everyone sees it: it is a really big, beautiful building. But the facts are created. There is no point in talking about used milk.
Under Olaf Scholz, the Chancellery has grown from 775 to 852 employees. The new government wants to save every 12th position in the next four years. Do people also have to go in the Federal Chancellery?
In the coalition agreement we agreed that we reduce two percent of staff per year. This affects all ministries, and of course this also applies to the Chancellery. It would not be a credible policy if I only asked the unpleasant things from others. The federal government has grown in the past decades, with a few exceptions. We urgently need to reverse this trend.
You want to halve the number of commissioners. Who does it hit?
With some posts I had to see if they really exist – or if that’s a joke. We will end this unnecessary commissioner and roughly halve the number of representatives. This is not primarily a savings measure, but a question of the efficient state organization.
Of course, this coalition will last for four years. We saw in the coalition negotiations that the fund of similarities is so great that we can manage the challenges together.
The traffic light has captured iron on its coalition paper. Is the new coalition agreement considered immovable or do you have to go again in the event of a crisis?
This coalition agreement applies on the basis of today’s knowledge. We have a clear agreement with each other: If there are events that lead to a fundamental change, we will provide the coalition agreement aside – and develop new solutions.
The survey values are for Friedrich Merz Mies, the AfD is in 1st place. Can this coalition last for 4 years?
Of course, this coalition will last for four years. We saw in the coalition negotiations that the fund of similarities and the sense of responsibility for the country is so great that we can manage the challenges together.
What did you do wrong if that didn’t work?
The historiography must then judge this. I have a lot of respect for this task, but I rely on making so few mistakes that we are successful.
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.
