Even after the state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst (CDU) wants to remain prime minister. He just doesn’t want to fail with similar mistakes as his predecessor Armin Laschet.
Düsseldorf – Hendrik Wust (CDU) puts before the State elections in North Rhine-Westphalia on the children. The campaigning prime minister attended swimming courses for the youngest and a primary school, and he met “his” godchildren at the zoo in order to attract public attention. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Prime Minister has been the honorary sponsor for multiple births since 2019. As the father of a daughter – born last year – the 46-year-old enjoys the role of the country’s father. A welcome side effect: the performances give Wüst what children, in contrast to politicians, easily embody: authenticity.
| Name | Hendrik Wust |
| Born | July 19, 1975, Rhede |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) |
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Hendrik Wüst: Just don’t make mistakes and don’t fail like Armin Laschet
Authenticity is a thing with top politicians. It is not uncommon for their appearances and statements to look as smooth as their suits. Wüst is also a perfectionist in this area. Anyone hoping for surprising statements or even emotional outbursts from the Prime Minister in the style of Armin Laschet at official appointments can wait a long time.
Wüst is the opposite of his predecessor, he is in a way an anti-Laschet: He speaks in a controlled and factual manner, doesn’t crack jokes in the wrong place and doesn’t rashly answer questions with a simple yes or no – the answer might get on his feet later fall.
At a dinner with journalists in Düsseldorf, Wüst said that he really enjoyed attending the Junior University in Wuppertal – another appointment with children. The girls and boys, most of whom are around ten years old, ask the prime minister questions. Wüst liked the format because he could speak more freely than usual. On the other hand, you have to be careful what you say to the press, says Wüst.
State elections in NRW: Hendrik Wüst very careful when choosing his words
The politician provided the latter with a wink – so as not to be misunderstood. But there was a lot of truth in what he said. Wüst is very careful about what he says and how he says it in public.
Back to the kids. In an election campaign video, Wüst describes their protection as one of the foundations of his politics. Wüst’s motivation for doing politics is a – quote – “world in which climate protection, prosperity and social security are reconciled”. The one-year-old daughter Philippa – Hendrik Wüst hid Easter eggs for her for the first time at Easter – has changed his view of the world.
At the end of April, the CDU politician visited a family primary school center in Düsseldorf. The 46-year-old takes an hour to do this. The children don’t have to wait long for the “President”, as they call him. Wüst is almost on time. He wears a mask as soon as he gets out of the car. It is unthinkable that, like Laschet, the mask slips under his nose. Wüst – boosted and recovered – is still part of the Corona-Team beware. The teachers also wear masks, but masks are no longer compulsory in schools.
Hendrik Würst sent “over the country” in the final sprint of the election campaign
Wüst offers a boy his fist as a greeting, just as you do because of Corona. But the boy wants a normal handshake and gets it. What’s it like to be prime minister? Wüst answered the child’s question with reference to a quote from one of his predecessors in office, Peer Steinbrück. “I’m a janitor without a coat who has to take care of everything. Especially when things don’t go well.”
For Wüst, things are going so average at the moment. He jumps (in a promotional video) on his bike over the ditch without an accident. But challenger Thomas Kutschaty is catching up in the polls. Its SPD is within striking distance of the CDU, a traffic light coalition against the CDU is possible – even if not the favorite coalition of the citizens of North Rhine-Westphalia. Wüst has only been in office since October last year, which was not enough for an official bonus. The loud criticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz – first because of the Corona, then because of the Ukraine policy – doesn’t help either.
A high-ranking CDU official therefore issued the slogan for a wild campaign final spurt in a small circle: “We’ll send him across the country – wherever and whenever possible.” No sooner said than done. Wüst not only invites to press conferences on Ukraine or the 41st European Basketball Championship in Cologne or gives a speech on Germany’s first homosexual demonstration in Münster. He also attends a swimming course in a bathing center in Krefeld or a school in Düsseldorf. He can do it with children. “He answered well,” says an elementary school student after the president drove away.
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