The Saxon head of government Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has caused irritation and triggered criticism with his comments on the planned public procurement law. The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Left Party demanded clarification on Thursday. The background to this are statements made by Kretschmer at the New Year's reception of the Leipzig business community. The "Leipziger Volkszeitung" newspaper quoted him as saying: "We will not make a law against the vote of the business community. If the economy says no, that also means no."
Saxony's DGB boss Markus Schlimbach was annoyed and accused Kretschmer of lacking a sense for the interests of employees. "At the slightest headwind from the business community, Minister President Kretschmer buckles and turns against the employees in Saxony." The head of government should forget about "Sunday speeches" on improving working conditions and wages in Saxony in future. "Who is supposed to believe him?" asked Schlimbach. The years of wrangling over the public procurement law were undignified.
