Erwin Huber, the former chairman of the CSU, cautioned his successor Markus Söder about a potential blockade within the federal government and urged the party leader to adopt a more constructive approach in the current reform debate. “Söder should learn to play constructively with the coalition partner instead of fabricating false remarks from the sidelines” Huber told the “Spiegel”. Many CSU voters, especially from the middle class, expected practical solutions, according to the former Bavarian minister of economy and finance.
Huber’s criticism is rooted in Söder’s recent remarks to the federal cabinet. Earlier in the week, the CSU chief had called for a faster pace of reforms in an interview with “Stern”. Yet, at the same time, Söder is pushing for tax relief for companies, heirs, and high earners, even as the national budget suffers a deficit. This stance contradicts the reform proposals of SPD chairman and finance minister Lars Klingbeil.
According to Huber, Söder “sets tight deadlines in Berlin, combined with a ‘no’ to many reform steps”. He further charges that, despite high debt levels, Söder seeks significant additional spending and an unrealistic tax policy that “is neither conceptually sound nor calculable”. Huber claimed that the premier “spins riddles” suggesting that in Bavaria he pursues a balanced budget at the expense of families, care, and salaries, thereby accepting considerable backlash. This stands in contrast to Söder’s statements to his partners in Berlin.
Huber said that Söder’s apparent dual strategy-maintaining a foothold in the coalition while playing a role in the opposition-is unacceptable in times of multiple crises. He asked, “Where is a CSU tax program? Where is a plan for pensions and health?” Huber argued that the times are too serious and that the coalition’s loss of trust is too great to allow political showmanship.
The policy landscape, Huber added, faces a historic task in defence, the economy, and social security-tasks that even in good times would require discipline, teamwork, and foresight. Consequently, he urged that, following Theo Waigel’s example, Söder should engage constructively. “The CSU chief owes this to the state and the party” Huber concluded.
