Michael Kretschmer, the CDU Minister President of the Free State of Saxony, was contacted by the ZDF editorial team on April 15th for the format “Morgenmagazin”. The host referred to the reality within the Union, stating that CDU members would have “little to no say” in the final approval of the coalition agreement with the SPD. Kretschmer was asked about the agreement and the topic of migration caused a small disturbance in the studio.
Kretschmer praised the course of negotiations with the SPD, recalling that “over the last three and a half years, the country has been brought down by a really wrong policy.” However, the Union has now “built up a lot of trust in the SPD.” Looking at the coalition agreement, Kretschmer said, “If you read it carefully, you see the expertise and the willingness for political change.”
He emphasized the following development: “I am hopeful that this paper and this program will lead us out of this difficult time and that it will actually bring new trust in democracy and the rule of law, which we urgently need. Many people have turned away from politics. This is dangerous for our democracy.”
The topic of migration was brought up by the host, stating that it had “defined the election campaign.” Union leader Merz had announced at the beginning of the year that he would implement a “de facto entry ban for all people without valid entry documents.” However, the host noted that this was no longer mentioned in the coalition agreement and asked, “Has he reneged on that?”
Kretschmer disagreed with this perception, stating that “this is exactly what we see in the agreement” without citing specific provisions. He explained to the viewers that “it was clear to the people in Germany that they have given us a mandate to change the migration policies. This is reflected in the agreement at many concrete points.”
When the host pointed out that it would require agreement with other EU countries to implement immediate returns at the borders, as announced by Merz, Kretschmer responded, “You have not provided many reports in the past few years on open and honest discussions in this country. Now we are at a point where we can talk about pull factors and about being overwhelmed.”
These are points and political reactions that “people have been waiting for for years.” Kretschmer, who appeared slightly unwell, continued to explain that the coalition agreement with the SPD ensures that people can be returned at the borders, which has been happening since September and was previously considered impossible.
The host was not fully convinced and intervened again, prompting Kretschmer to interrupt her with the words, “I’m sorry, I was just about to say.”
Kretschmer then criticized the behavior of “the Germans” in European asylum policy over the past few years, calling it a “wrong turn.” Other countries “wanted more restrictions and reductions.” He is now “very optimistic” that the coalition agreement with the SPD will lead the country in the right direction.
Regarding the permanent rise in the AfD’s poll numbers and the decline in the popularity of Union leader Merz, Kretschmer stated that “politics must deliver” and emphasized that “the AfD is a far-right party that wants to dismantle democracy. They must stop playing the martyr role. The sensationalist journalism of the past years has not forced them to show what they can do. Therefore, it is clear that there can be no cooperation or coalition with them.”
However, Kretschmer also stated that the “actual democratic rights” of any member of a parliament should also apply to the AfD, “because otherwise we make them stronger instead of weaker.