As of: January 17, 2024 8:43 p.m
After the announced withdrawal of parliamentary group and party leader Franz-Robert Liskow, a successor debate has begun in the CDU in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Several members of the state parliament bring the previous CDU state general secretary Daniel Peters into play. There could be a surprise candidate for the state chairmanship.
Day one after the bang in the state CDU: Your top man, parliamentary group and party leader Franz-Robert Liskow gives up. The 36-year-old will soon be resigning from his position. He announced on Tuesday that he only wanted to be a simple member of the state parliament until the end of the legislative period. Liskow said on Tuesday that the reasons were purely private – he said he had no pressure.
Liskow with “slowed performance”
However, there have been repeated questions within the party in recent weeks, at least behind closed doors. Liskow’s appearance was not noticeable enough for some in the Union. In their eyes, he looked like a party and faction leader who was touring the country with the handbrake on. There should apparently be talks soon because of his slowed performance. Liskow anticipated this. It was clear in the past that he was not drawn to the political spotlight. The man from Greifswald will soon be a father for the second time and has a failed marriage behind him.
Trimmed back to normal size
Liskow’s withdrawal sets the Union back to square one. It now replaces its top staff as often as Bundesliga clubs threatened with relegation replace their coaches. Since January 2020 – with the withdrawal of the former hopeful Vincent Kokert – the fourth election for party leadership is now taking place. After Kokert, Torsten Renz, Wolfgang Waldmüller and Liskow, the parliamentary group is the fifth candidate in four years. The CDU Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which proudly pointed out that it was the Chancellor’s home association until the end of Angela Merkel’s reign, has long since been reduced to normal levels – the 13.3 percent in the 2021 election provided clear evidence of this.
VIDEO: Liskow interviewed after his resignation as CDU state party leader (4 min)
Search for successor
In the parliamentary group, attention is now focused on Daniel Peters, 42 years old, Rostock member, state parliament member and general secretary of the state CDU. Peters was a long-time employee of party veteran Eckhardt Rehberg. He knows the CDU inside out and has so far been one for the “attack” department. His colleague in the state parliament, Wolfgang Waldmüller, brings him directly into play. Peters is an “excellent candidate.” He can approach people, has a clear attitude and is “one of the top performers.” There was similar praise from Katy Hoffmeister, who herself had ambitions for the state chairmanship in 2020. Hoffmeister said she would like Peters to “play a special role in the CDU MV.” He is competent and direct and this is what the party needs, but also the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
No comment from Peters
Torsten Renz – Minister of the Interior for a short time after his time as parliamentary group leader – also spoke out in favor of Peters. He’s passionate about the cause and “puts himself into the work.” Renz also advocated continuing to hold the parliamentary group and party leadership in one hand. The political stage in Schwerin is in the state parliament, and the party chairman also belongs there. Peters should do that too. A recommendation for Peters also came from Greifswald member of the Bundestag Philipp Amthor: “I appreciate him very much, he did a good job as general secretary. I could work well with him,” Amthor told the NDR Nordmagazin. However, the state parliamentary group does not need any “tutoring” from the Bundestag faction, said Amthor. He made it clear again that he was not seeking the state presidency. Despite repeated requests, Peters has not yet commented on a possible candidacy.
Schomann also in conversation
The CDU district administrator of northwest Mecklenburg, Tino Schomann, could still compete with him. The 36-year-old does not rule out running for state chairmanship. He had already been approached by several members, said Schomann on NDR. “I haven’t answered the question for myself yet. I’ll leave that open,” said Schomann, who has been said to have ambitions for other positions in the CDU for some time. Schomann also gained nationwide attention – through critical statements about the federal asylum policy. He spoke out several times against further admission of refugees.
Again no women in charge
The CDU wants to decide on the successor at a party conference in April at the latest. Then there will also be a new election for the parliamentary group board. If Peters takes over both offices, his top candidacy for the state elections is considered a foregone conclusion. Women would once again not have a chance in the CDU. Katy Hoffmeister said she was now hoping for a team solution made up of men and women in the situation. If Peters becomes the new number 1, the general secretary position would be vacant. Maybe a woman will take over.
Further information
The politician from Greifswald announced this on Tuesday. He cited personal reasons for the decision. more
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NDR 1 Radio MV | News from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 01/17/2024 | 12:00 o’clock