Söder Dubs Greens as Christian Democrats’ Preferred Government Partner after Germany’s Elections

April 24 , 2021 (EIRNS)—Christian Social Union chairman Markus Söder, who backs green policies and a potential coalition with the Greens before, had positive words yesterday for Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock: “She does not have government experience but she has her life experience, and the model of a young candidate has found many supporters in Finland, Denmark and New Zealand.” He said he is taking seriously Baerbock’s “fresh and modern candidacy.”

Söder also proposed a Christian Democratic coalition with the Greens, saying “naturally” the Free Democrats  “would be the easier partner, but the Greens are more attractive ... the environment is more than decoration, it is central.” Söder said that in contrast to CDU/CSU Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet whose views are a remake of former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, he is for a “more modern program, which includes climate, species variety, and digitization.”

Baerbock’s candidacy has surged the Greens’ poll ratings: the FORSA polling team found that whereas the CDU/CSU is hovering at 29%, the Greens have risen to 25%. The SPD is at 15%, the AfD, the FDP at 9% and Linke at 7% in this poll.