The leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has expressed surprise regarding recent statements made by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Speaking to the Funke Media Group newspapers, Klingbeil stated he had voted for Klöckner but noted he was taken aback by certain comparisons she made. He specifically referenced her grouping together of the online publication “Nius” and the left-leaning daily newspaper “taz”, suggesting such a comparison would have been unusual for one of her predecessors, Wolfgang Schäuble.
Klöckner’s remarks were made during a summer party hosted by the CDU in Koblenz, held on the premises of businessman Frank Gotthardt. Gotthardt is a financial backer of “Nius”, a right-leaning online media outlet. Reports indicate Klöckner drew a parallel between “Nius” and “taz” during her address.
When asked whether he would support Klöckner again, Klingbeil indicated he had some outstanding questions he would prefer to discuss with her directly in a private conversation.
