Haseloff sees own responsibility for election victory against AfD

Magdeburg – The Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff (CDU), has clearly spoken out against a ban on the AfD. The party has "long been a people's party in large parts of the East," Haseloff told the "Tagesspiegel" (Friday edition). He warned of a possible "solidarity effect" in a ban: "Imagine the group were to enter a state government during the ongoing ban process – however it happens. Should we then ban governments?" If the party were to eventually gain an absolute majority, it would first be in Saxony-Anhalt, Haseloff had already stated in the past. Precisely for this reason, he feels a responsibility as the incumbent to ensure that this does not happen, the Minister-President told the "Tagesspiegel." "With good policies, we will win their votes back." In this context, Haseloff criticized the new federal government for its adherence to its climate goals. "The goal of climate neutrality by 2045, which we have imposed on ourselves, is, in my view, hardly tenable," he said. The "Green Deal" must be "thoroughly revised." Climate protection "must not be economic suicide," and the storage levy must be history this summer, Haseloff demanded. Regarding a possible weakening of the CDU's relationship with the Left Party, the CDU politician advocated "pragmatism" in matters of procedural procedure. At the same time, Haseloff sees no reason to revise the CDU's general demarcation resolution. "The Left wants to overcome this republic along with capitalism. Or look at the controversial definition of anti-Semitism. I don't want a normal relationship with such a party," said the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt.