Söder shows the re-election approach of humility – Bayern

• The Bavarian State Parliament once again elected Markus Söder as head of the Free State: the CSU politician received 110 votes in favor, 89 against and three abstentions.
• In his speech, Söder called for a new style of parliament and a policy of optimism.
• The AfD, which has set up for the first time in Bavaria in Parliament, calls for cooperation.

It must be the humility so often mentioned by Markus Söder. This Tuesday, at least a hint of it surrounds him in the Bavarian state parliament. For the second time in a matter of months, the 51-year-old is elected Bavarian Prime Minister – and for the first time, there is the impression that he might seriously want to seriously # 39; humility. He does not take this opportunity to stage himself, abstains from being photographed by the photographers against a magnificent backdrop, looks serious – one could almost say: humble.

Shortly before the start of the session, he and his wife Karin Baumüller-Söder enter the large stone parliament hall, head to the crowd of cameras – and then go to the plenary room in rather a few ways. spectacular. His wife disappears in the tribune for the guests of honor, he sits in the place of an ordinary deputy. The agenda has exactly one point: "The election of the Prime Minister".

What does Söder feel that day? "This is something that is expected with humility and with great responsibility, because Bavaria is a great country," he told the radio. And: "Representing Bavaria is a difficult task." That's it, humility.

In the elections, Söder gets 110 of the 202 votes cast. The newly formed CSU and Free Voters coalition has 112 members. One MP was sick and the other vote was still sick. The newly elected Prime Minister will probably think about it later. He currently sits in a parliament composed of six parties. In addition to CSU, Greens, SPD and free voters, the FDP and AfD are new. You can see this because many members of the back rows sit very tight next to each other. And because everyone looks at the AfD with special attention. For Söder, however, a lifetime dream comes true this year after years of yearning, pain and torment. Once again.

Of course, this has not always been the case in recent months. Until last autumn's Bundestag elections, things did not seem so bad for CSU. Then the crash reached 38.8% – for Söder, it was useful, he could chase his eternal rival Horst Seehofer from the prime minister's office. In December, he won the duel. "With courage and humility," he wanted to do this new job and was elected for the first time in March, even in power. But the state election campaign was anything but smooth for Söder and CSU. Nearly three weeks ago, on the evening of the election, it was almost certain that only 10.5 percentage points had been lost – with an absolute majority. But nobody believed it anyway. 37.2%, result that Söder accepted "with humility", as he stressed at every opportunity.

Neither in the weeks following the elections, nor in the previous months, did he realize this self-imposed humility. CSU decided so quickly for Free Voters as a coalition partner that there was no time for reflection. The coalition agreement could also be replaced by a "Keep It Up", a new course can not be identified in this one. But Söder advocates a change in his speech after the elections: he wants a new style of parliament and a policy of optimism.

All parliamentarians should try to understand each other's arguments at the beginning of the new term. "Style and decency are important," says Söder, referring to the teacher who patiently and kindly talks to his dog. "The struggle for the better strengthens parliamentarism and anyone who harms others will never succeed." The goal of Söder is clear: you must get along now – and he, as the father of the country, will do everything to make it work. At least in this short speech, we would like to remove that too. The words are chosen carefully, the tone is deliberate and calm.

Söder launches its call for better style from its own government as well as the opposition: far from the party programs, it is to increase the prosperity of Bavaria and to avoid the damage, says Pat Söder, with patriotism. AfD is ready to cooperate – very clearly: "Every magical start of life enchants us!", Lance Katrin Ebner Steiner, head of the group, heading for Söder. Ebner-Steiner said that one of them wanted in principle that not all their demands would be rejected in parliament. If this happens, it may have legal consequences. "If they stick to the Basic Law and the case law, then they can expect constructive opposition."

From the first day, the AfD was seen at a disadvantage, the proposed candidate for the post of vice president in the state parliament was rejected, Ebner-Steiner globally condemning his party. "Finally stop, patriotism and the original need of the Germans in terms of national identification to combat and badimilate racism." Claims that cause other parties to have interjections raised.

What is already clear in this second day in the state parliament: not only in the government, it continues as before, but in Parliament too, it seems that the old structures are already working well. "In my eyes, the magic does not exist at the beginning and an alliance of the discouraged ones is united," said the Greens parliamentary leader, Katharina Schulze, about the new coalition. The head of the SPD faction, Horst Arnold, criticizes the coalition is not a starting project, but testifies to a "stable lack of prospects". FDP leader Martin Hagen calls for "an update" for Bayern. How long will last the point of humility of Söder?

In the coming days, the new head of the Bavarian government has not yet completed his task: Monday, his cabinet will be sworn. Free voters receive the three ministries of culture, environment, economy, energy and regional development. The rest of Söder is spread among his people, some will come out empty handed. But the father of the earth will certainly teach them softly and humbly.