Daniel Günther, the CDU Minister‑President of Schleswig‑Holstein, called on the federal government to push for reforms without taboos or fear of upcoming elections. Speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”, he said he is convinced that the public will accept more change and cuts than politicians believe. He urged politicians to tell citizens that we live in a time that demands reforms and that there should be no taboos.
Günther warned that parties should not fear voter backlash if they adopt reforms. Rather, voters would abandon them if nothing changes, even when change is clearly necessary, because they would feel that politics is not solving the problems. He predicts that starting reforms now will pay off for both the Union and the SPD in the September state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern. He regards political capability as the sole antidote to the AfD.
The premier also stressed that people do not need lectures or reminders to work a little more to get the country back on track, and that politicians should avoid language that makes citizens feel personally attacked. Günther was referring to statements made by his party in recent weeks and months.
