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Laschett is the prime minister of Germany’s most populous state in North Rhine-Westphalia. More than 700 cases of coronavirus infection have been reported in a slaughterhouse in Guetersloh, a region.
When asked on Wednesday what the outbreak said about the reduction of measures to limit the spread of the virus in North Rhine-Westphalia, Laschet said: “There is nothing to say about it, because the Romanians and the Bulgarians went there, that’s where the virus came from. “
Later, in an attempt to soften his statement, he told the Rheinische Post that he just wanted to highlight the dangers of international travel, adding that “blaming people of all origins for the virus” was unacceptable.
Arminas Laschetas
© Imago / Scanpix
Mr. Laschet’s statement has been criticized. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called it “very dangerous” on Thursday and demanded an apology.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva also called the statement inadmissible.
“Viruses do not recognize borders.” The Bulgarians make a significant contribution to the economy of North Rhine-Westphalia, “he said.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), a junior member of the coalition government, said Lars Klingbeil said the prime minister’s comment was “scandalous” and should stifle Laschet’s political ambitions.
“Anyone who argues in this way incites dissatisfaction, gets divided, is not fit to run for chancellor, and of course is not fit to be chancellor,” he told Bild Live in an interview.
The election of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Conservative Union (CDU) leader is slated for the end of 2020.
Mr. Laschet is considered an electoral favorite. He decided to run for election as party leader when Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, considered the chancellor’s successor, resigned earlier this year as party chairman.
His rival for the CDU chief is Friedrich Merz, a specialist in corporate law.
The winner of the election will have to lead the center-right CDU-CSU block of the Merkel Center to next fall’s general election.
Another candidate for the post of chancellor may be nominated by the CDU’s regional partner in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU). Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soeder is considered his favorite.
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