“I take all the responsibility”. Merkel gives up her plan for draconian closures at Easter. What happened?
One day after imposing an ultra-strict 5-day lockdown that goes into effect over Easter weekend (presumably to avoid any holiday-related spread of Covid-19), German Chancellor Angela Merkel has abandoned the plan, although Germany is still planning to extend its current restrictions. until April 18.
Anonymous sources reportedly told Bloomberg that Merkel is abandoning the plan after it inspired intense public reaction and resistance from opposition politicians and Merkel's coalition. Merkel informed the leaders of the 16 German states in a video conference on Wednesday morning that she was abandoning the idea of a five-day closedown, which would shut down all activities. Supermarkets would also have been forced to limit operations.
The planned restrictions also prohibited private gatherings of more than five adults from two different families and required Easter services in German churches to be conducted virtually, angering Germans who were already spending the Christmas holidays isolated from family members. At a meeting earlier this week, Germany's local leaders reluctantly agreed to the Chancellor's plan.
"I take full responsibility for this misjudgment," Merkel told Land leaders. Asking forgiveness for the plan, he said the proposal was "made with the best of intentions", but its restrictions cannot be "implemented".
Many within Merkel's Christian Democrat-led ruling coalition applauded her decision. Bavarian Premier Markus Soder said he respected the chancellor's rethinking, while stressing that the proposed restrictions faced questions about their legality, RT reports.
Merkel has faced a barrage of criticism of the measures, including a ban on church services, which has been particularly controversial.
The clergy and even Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, a longtime political ally, have urged the chancellor to reconsider. Some heads of state even proclaimed that they would not abide by the rule.
Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer said his state will not prevent churches from holding services in person.
Prior to the U-turn, Merkel insisted the ultra-restrictive 5-day blockade was needed to prevent a "third wave" of COVID from getting worse in Europe.
At this point in Europe everyone goes their own way: Belgium, France and Italy announce restrictions, Germany seems to be reversing. Some lands have even begun to reduce previously issued closing orders while the indication of a possible general closedown until April 18 seems to be currently in doubt. The pressure was very strong, both from the opposition and from the majority, and someone will have pointed out that it was also going against the Constitution itself. The news was taken with great relief, especially INSIDE the CDU, where half the party was in turmoil.
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The article "I take full responsibility". Merkel gives up her plan for draconian closures at Easter. What happened? comes from ScenariEconomici.it .
This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/mi-prendo-tutta-la-responsabilita-la-merkel-rinuncia-al-suo-piano-di-chiusure-draconiane-a-pasqua-che-e-successo/ on Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:10:18 +0000.