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Heated central culture and AfD debate in the ARD talk show “hart aber fair”. Sahra Wagenknecht becomes a troublemaker – and Klamroth becomes stubborn.
Munich – Thuringia before the showdown. On May 26th, the federal state will kick off the state election triple in the east in 2024. The question that simmers above everything: How strong will the AfD become? According to previous forecasts, the party is even heading towards becoming the strongest force in the state parliament. Even if the survey results at the federal level have recently declined again.
Whoever wants to do that is Mario Voigt. The CDU's top candidate recently faced AfD hardliner and top candidate Björn Höcke in a TV duel. Now he also asked questions about how to deal with the strengthened right-wing in Thuringia in the ARD talk “hard but fair”. And immediately got lost in a “leading culture” debate. Markus Söder had previously been confronted with Islamic statements in “hard but fair”.
Leading culture debate in “hard but fair”: bratwurst, baked kebab and an “intellectual low flight”
Talk presenter Louis Klamroth wants to know from Voigt what he understands by leading culture, as it is understood in the CDU's basic program, which will be the subject of the upcoming party conference. “Something inviting, something demanding,” the CDU man then explained. It's not too much to ask, for example, to know poems or the lyrics to the national anthem. What else can the CDU man think of about customs in relation to the dominant culture? Thuringian bratwurst and someone who invented a baked kebab.
An understanding that seems at least as thin as that of CDU leader Friedrich Merz. A few months ago he declared the Christmas tree to be Germany's dominant culture. Philipp Türmer from the SPD also found the implementation too thin. “Nothing happened,” said the Juso chairman, horrified. His conclusion about bratwurst and baked kebab as German dominant culture: “This is intellectually low flight.”
“Hard but fair” talk drifts into wild accusations – and Sahra Wagenknecht ignores Klamroth’s questions
In general, the talk drifted a little into wild accusations. That also had something to do with it Sahra Wagenknecht to do. For her newly founded party BSW, the chances of entering the state parliament in Thuringia are not that bad. According to Wagenknecht, with the CDU you could at least see whether you could talk about similar opinions on similar content. With moderator Louis Klamroth, speaking in the talk only worked to a limited extent.
Klamroth did not speak directly to Wagenknecht very often. However, he never received a really appropriate answer to his question. That already started with the topic of dominant culture. “What customs and traditions hold German society together for you?” Klamroth wants to know. Wagenknecht at least answers that a society is “constituted by shared values”. She talks about culture wars from an “arrogant, privileged, even green milieu” against which you have to justify yourself if you drive a combustion car or are meat.
Wagenknecht's understanding of Leitkultur remains unclear – Klamroth's lack of understanding of her answers becomes clearer
In the middle of the sentence, Klamroth intervenes and asks again: “What customs and traditions, Ms. Wagenknecht?” She once again formulates extensively about the “common thing” that needs to be found again. About big city dwellers who, because of their way of life, have no right to look down on small town dwellers “who buy their schnitzel from Aldi because they can’t afford the organic store.” She leaves it open whether she means that a schnitzel is part of the German tradition for her – so the question is completely unanswered. Instead, there is criticism of the CDU again.
The image repeats itself just a few minutes later. In terms of issues, Klamroth has now moved away from the dominant culture and towards demarcation from the AfD in Thuringia. For Voigt, the firewall against the AfD in Thuringia is still clearly standing. Then Klamroth also includes Ms. Wagenknecht, who repeatedly tries to get the right to speak in a heated discussion between Voigt and Türmer – and immediately regrets it shortly afterwards.
Wagenknecht's comments strain Klamroth's nerves – “You think the question is stupid, I would still like an answer”
“Is it conceivable in your party to elect a Prime Minister Mario Voigt, also to prevent a Prime Minister Björn Höcke?” So far, so clear, the question. Short, concise answers are not in Sahra Wagenknecht's interest on Monday evening. Instead of a clear “yes” or “no”, the next big implementation follows. “I think that’s a completely wrong question,” she complains at first. Klamroth says, somewhat stubbornly, “but I’ll put it back anyway.” The BSW boss explains that people are running in Thuringia because they want to change something. “You think the question is stupid, I would still like an answer to it,” says Klamroth. The toddler-like back and forth is far from over.
According to Wagenknecht, “all problems are focused on the AfD becoming the reference point.” A development that she finds “fatal”. This type of debate would have made the AfD ever stronger. “And of course the desolate traffic light politics.” There is applause from the audience, but the moderator immediately interrupts: “Do you still want to answer my question or not?”
When Wagenknecht ignores the question again, Klamroth suddenly just turns around – “impossible”
Wagenknecht continues, undeterred, that she thinks it is “right to debate and stand with the AfD.” Then follows criticism of Voigt's actions in the TV duel against Höcke. Klamroth is still listening patiently, then interrupts again: “Do you still want to answer my question?” Wagenknecht continues texting – then Klamroth simply turns around and goes to the other side of the studio to the other talk guests. “If you don’t answer it, then I’ll ask Robin Alexander,” he says stubbornly, already turning his back on Wagenknecht. This time the presenter gets applause from the audience.
It is the second time in a very short space of time that the politician has attracted negative attention with excessive statements on TV talk. Sandra Maischberger was also recently annoyed by Wagenknecht's unconcise formulations. In any case, Klamroth immediately felt Wagenknecht's displeasure. “I find it impossible that you keep throwing me off,” the politician calls after him.
“I’ll give you another chance,” the moderator softens and asks his question again. And this time he also receives an answer, albeit a very long one. But the bottom line behind it is: If you come up with common concepts, for example when it comes to education in Thuringia, that would be “a first step towards commonality”. But you will not be a “majority procurer for Mr. Voigt”. An answer that Klamroth is finally satisfied with. (han)
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