Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has paid tribute to his party colleague Reiner Haseloff on his departure from office. "I have always appreciated my colleague Reiner Haseloff's pragmatism and great experience. He moves things forward with courage, strength and determination, without losing sight of the big picture," Kretschmer told the German Press Agency.
"Unwavering optimism and unmistakable humor"
"At the same time, he stands up for the interests of eastern Germany and the people in his federal state with particular clarity and passion. When I think of our many good conversations and encounters, I always associate this with his unshakeable optimism and his very own, unmistakable sense of humor," said Kretschmer.
Haseloff will step down on Tuesday. In an official notification to the state parliament, Germany's longest-serving minister president announced his irrevocable resignation with effect from the end of January 27. Haseloff thus wants to enable his former Minister of Economic Affairs, Sven Schulze (CDU), to go into the state elections on September 6 as Minister President and not just as the CDU lead candidate.
On Wednesday, Schulze is to be elected as Haseloff's successor in the state parliament. The CDU state leader would like to continue the black-red-yellow alliance.
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