The Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig (SPD), has dismissed critiques aimed at her campaigning style. Regarding the perceived pressure on the CDU-which she argued was being squeezed between the self-styled “Woman against Blue” movement and the AfD, potentially destabilizing Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU)-Schwesig asserted that this is an issue facing the Union, not her specifically.
Speaking to the news broadcaster “Welt” on Friday, Schwesig stated, “Despite all respect, the CDU must take responsibility for its own election results and ask itself why it is falling short. Attributing everything to Manuela Schwesig might itself be wrong politics. Sixty percent of people here support me as Minister-President, and I campaign based on that support.”
While acknowledging that the Chancellor’s approval ratings are poor, Schwesig maintained that Merz needs to conduct a self-critical evaluation of the situation. She clarified that she is not aiming to undermine the work of the federal government or the Chancellor. “If things are good-for instance, the special funds we have to conduct major renovations, such as schools, or where we receive support, particularly regarding our shipbuilding industry-I say so. But when things fail to align with the reality of the people, such as insufficient work being done, then I offer criticism.”
Finally, Schwesig advised the Chancellor to act quickly to reduce fuel prices, suggesting, “The Chancellor must act on this. He can set an example today by standing alongside the people. And I believe that would, in turn, bring forth local support.”
