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With the number of infections rising dramatically again, Angela Merkel no longer needed much to convince wavering federal states to crack down.
Carefully but with determination: German Chancellor Angela Merkel explains the decisions made with the prime ministers of the federal states.
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka (Reuters)
Yes Angela Merkel Negotiating with the prime ministers of the 16 federal states in recent months usually took hours: once four, more often six, once eight. The pattern was always the same: the Federal Government in the form of the Chancellor urged and urged tougher action, the heads of state of the states slowed down and postponed the debate on details and exceptions. Usually it came out undercooked, which Merkel once acknowledged with the rumored exclamation, “Then we’ll be back here next week.”
This Sunday morning, the arrangement lasted just under an hour, after which it was the new lock decided. The more acute the situation, the greater the unit. The shorter the session.
“Bergamo is closer than one or the other thinks.”
Merkel justified the harsh measures in front of the media with the dramatic situation: “The numbers are increasing too much. We are required to act. “She had previously described 500 Covid 19 deaths a day as” unacceptable. ” Prime Minister of Bavaria, Markus Söder he said the pandemic was “out of control.” The previous “closing light” was not enough, so you no longer have to be “half”, but act decisively: “Bergamo is closer than one or the other thinks.”
Sunday Crisis Round: Merkel with Berlin Mayor Michael Müller (SPD, first from left), Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU, third from left) and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD ).
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka (Keystone)
Michael Müller, the ruling mayor of Berlin, who is currently in charge of the regional round and is criticized for his doubts, asked to understand why it took so long until closing. “You have to take people with you down that road.” After all, they “sharpened” the same thing in October and November when the numbers spiked.
Germany is now imposing roughly the same restrictions as last March, but unlike France, Belgium or Italy, there are no curfews this time either, or only in exceptional cases. The lockout applies from Wednesday to at least January 10.
After restaurants and leisure activities, almost all shops, as well as schools and kindergartens have to close again. Only stores for daily necessities can remain open. Depending on the federal state, schools are free to choose whether to extend the Christmas holidays or offer distance education.
Exceptionally, more than five people from more than two households can only meet at Christmas, but strictly limited to the family nucleus. In the future, regular tests will be conducted in nursing homes and nursing homes for residents, staff and visitors.
Billions in compensation
As in November, affected businesses are being compensated extensively, though not as generously as restaurants, cinemas or theaters recently. Instead of lost sales, essentially only future operating costs will be reimbursed. But this also costs the federal government tens of billions. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz estimated November spending at € 14 billion and December spending at € 17 billion. Each additional month of lockdown is expected to cost around $ 11 billion.
The opposition criticized Christians and Social Democrats for the decisions in different tones. The Greens, the FDP and the Left Party complained that the government had “not yet” managed to develop a long-term crown strategy. Homes for the elderly and the elderly were also poorly protected, with fatal consequences. The alternative for Germany called the “inappropriate” blockade a “disaster” for the German citizens and the German economy.
A large majority in favor of the hard line
The vast majority of Germans see it differently. In a poll published by ZDF on Friday, half of Germans called for stricter measures, only one in six considered the applicable ones excessive. Three out of four welcomed a “strict lockdown” or even curfews. By far the best grade among politicians was once again given to Merkel. He was followed by the Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, and Söder, two other advocates of tough measures.
