No Vacation For Germany’s Top Politicians
July 8, 2002
Angela Merkel, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), has kicked off her summer tour through Germany. She is visiting 41 cities in a two-week period.
"I want to use the opportunity to speak to the people directly," Merkel said.
Summer tours are a tradition in German politics. But this year, they’re taking on a special urgence. With federal elections scheduled for September 22, the CDU and the ruling Social Democrats (SPD) are doing their utmost in campaigning efforts.
The election year certainly puts a damper on most top politicians’ holiday plans. The majority have decided to stay near or on home ground this summer during the parliamentary break. Only this way can they ensure that they can jump on the campaign wagon on short notice, should the need arise.
The Baltic instead of the Mediterranean
For Merkel, it’s first work then play. Following her tour, which ends on July 20th, she will head to the mountains to relax before the final campaigning spurt begins in mid-August.
Her final stop will be the Baltic seaside resort of Binz, where conservative Chancellor challenger Edmund Stoiber is beginning his summer tour. Stoiber this year swapped the sunny beaches of Spain, where he usually spends his summer holidays, for the German Baltic coast.
His media consultants hope the northern German vacation spot will give Stoiber a chance to pick up points for the election. Stoiber heads the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU's smaller Bavarian sister party, and is as well-known and as popular in the North.
The zoo instead of Tuscany
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder spent his first vacation day on Monday in his Hanover garden. He and his family are forgoing their traditional retreat in Italy. Instead, Schröder’s ten days off will be spent at home with his wife Doris and stepdaughter Klara.
The Chancellor intends to read and play tennis, but also visit the local zoo. However, it won’t all be rest and relaxation. Schröder said he will also have to keep several official appointments. "And govern, of course," he added.
Schröder will not be completing a summer tour. But many other leading SPD politicians will be out shaking hands.
Only Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer – Germany’s most popular politician – is leaving Germany to relax. He’s spending the second half of July in his favorite holiday spot, Italy, where he plans to rest and read.