Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister‑President and head of the CSU, has said that the German federal government’s measures to bring Germans home from the Middle East are insufficient. He calls for a review of additional support from the Bundeswehr, including its vehicle fleet.
Speaking to “Welt TV” on Thursday, Söder stressed that a state’s foremost duty is to protect its citizens and help them in crisis situations. He added: “I would now focus our forces on bringing our vacationers home. That is still a bit too little. It could be stepped up. Too few vehicles are being deployed”.
Söder went on to say that Germany should re‑examine its own options, pointing out that Italy, the United Kingdom and France are employing more self‑directed measures. He also noted that calls from German nationals in the region underscore how stressful the situation is, as tourists have to drive themselves from their holiday destinations to the few depots from which they can be flown back.
The Bavarian premier further criticized the foreign minister, Johannes Wadephul (CDU), for what he saw as a lag in action at the onset of the crisis. “It was a bit rigid at first” Söder remarked. He rejected the idea that vacationers bear full responsibility for their predicament. “We are indelibly involved in this war because our German citizens are affected. The argument I hear – ‘whoever goes on vacation is responsible on their own’ – is nonsense. These are German citizens”.
