German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday sternly called the regional states to order, urging them to apply the restrictions to tackle the third wave of the pandemic while several Länder have announced relaxations.
“We must now take the appropriate measures very seriously. However, some States are doing it, others are not doing it yet ”, annoyed the leader during a television interview where she criticized the recalcitrant of “ violations »Commitments made between the government and the Länder.
” My duty “
Merkel has brandished the threat of more binding central state intervention if the rules are not applied firmly, while health management is the responsibility of the regions and restrictions have so far been decided upon after long negotiations between the Chancellor and regional leaders.
“I’m not going to stay two weeks without doing anything”, warned the Chancellor as Germany entered the third wave of the pandemic. “It’s my oath, it’s my duty”, she added.
Among the measures she considers appropriate, the Chancellor cited the establishment of curfews that can be “A very effective means”, according to her, to fight against the virus. Never applied nationally since the start of the pandemic, such a restriction is extremely controversial in Germany.
The last summit between government and regions organized last Monday turned into a fiasco: a virtual confinement of the country had been announced for five days during the Easter period before Angela Merkel backtracked in the face of criticism. She had publicly done her mea-culpa.
“Unacceptable” scandal
At the same time, several regions or communities have announced or launched plans to gradually relax restrictions as the incidence rate, which has been steadily increasing in recent weeks, exceeds 100 in most areas of the country. This evolution is supposed to automatically trigger a “Emergency brake” and cancel all conceded relief.
The Chancellor notably criticized the announcement of Saarland, one of the smallest regional states, which wants to end the main anti-Covid restrictions just after Easter Monday and reopen, on presentation of negative tests, places of cultivation, terraces of cafes and restaurants, sports clubs.
Discontent is mounting against the government of Angela Merkel, whose vaccination campaign continues to slip. Splashed by scandals involving some deputies, the Conservative Party (CDU) is no longer guaranteed to win the legislative elections of September 26. “The CDU has no rights over the chancellery”, acknowledged Merkel who will leave the political scene after 16 years in power.
She described as “Totally unacceptable and scandalous” alleged wrongdoing of “The mask affair”, in which elected officials are suspected of having received sums of money to act as intermediaries in orders for masks, in the midst of the first wave of the pandemic.
Sunday, a poll gave the conservative camp at 25%, against ten points more at the start of the year. The CDU-CSU is in this poll followed by the Greens, credited with 23% of the voting intentions, according to this survey carried out for the daily Bild.
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