Kretschmer bemoans reform backlog in Germany

The Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer (CDU), misses the will for far-reaching reforms in Germany. The population is finally expecting solutions from politicians, he told the German Press Agency in Dresden. "You have to face up to this reality and then take bold action. That is not happening enough in Berlin." What is possible can be seen in the topic of migration. The number of illegal entries has halved within six months.

More speed instead of a snail's pace in Germany

"As minister presidents, we passed unanimous resolutions on migration for years. They were ignored by the previous federal government. We were always told that this was not possible under European law and that this was not possible under constitutional law. Now it is possible." This is how it should also work in other areas. Through good negotiation, it was possible to put together a 200-point programme to modernize the state. We need a new speed for Germany and not a snail's pace.

Kretschmer: population no longer wants standstill

"Business representatives are saying: 'Our country is in an economic free fall. We are not competitive'. And that's why we need to take action," emphasized Kretschmer. Surveys and conversations show that the German population wants reforms. "They want to overcome the standstill." The best way to create trust in democracy, in the ability of politicians to find solutions and in the rule of law is to solve the challenges. Germany needs to change and shed dead weight.

No noticeable changes so far

According to Kretschmer, the strength of the AfD primarily depends on what decisions are made in Berlin. "A large part of the AfD's support is protest." If things do not change for the better in Germany, it will become increasingly difficult to win back these voters. "The truth is, we are not successful in solving the problems. Yes, a lot has happened under the new federal government. But it is still too little. Above all, it is not noticeable. What is noticeable is an increasing recession."

East Germany as a seismograph for political developments

Kretschmer sees East Germany, with high poll ratings for the AfD, in a special role. "The east is the seismograph for political developments. We could now learn from the new federal states to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past." If there is no progress and things continue as before, the AfD will also have approval ratings of 30 percent or more in western Germany in a few years' time. "We have it in our own hands," said Kretschmer. The SPD in particular must shift into forward gear.