Criticism of the Merkel government’s corona handling has intensified after the chancellor yesterday made a U-turn on the issue of German restrictions.
Easter has been canceled.
Such was the message a few days ago when the German Chancellor Angela Merkel chose toextend the current restrictionsin Germany while shutting down the country for five daysEaster .
The decision came after Germany has recently seen rising infection rates, not least because of the particular infectious British virus variant, which according tothe chancellor is now the dominant one.
But that decision was reversed yesterday after the government received sharp criticism from both business and epidemiologists. Also the churches were out with sharp criticism ofthe initiative , which meant a stop to physical worship services during the Easter holidays.
Yesterday went the chancellor looked and apologized to the German people. It was simply a mistake to announce a five-day shutdown, Angela Merkel said.We will have to try to slow down the third wave of the pandemic. Nevertheless, this was a mistake. Ultimately, it is me who bears the responsibility. ANGELA MERKEL, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY
– We will have to try to slow down the third wave of the pandemic. Nevertheless, this was a mistake. Ultimately, it is me who bears the responsibility. That’s important for me to say. An error should be called an error, and most importantly, it should be corrected, preferably in good time, it sounded fromthe Chancellor , who at the same time asked the German people for forgiveness.
Subsequently, Angela Merkel also apologized to the German parliament ,The Bundestag .
More furious than ever
It is completely extraordinary that a GermanChancellor – especially Angela Merkel – goes out of his way to apologize in that way – but the harsh treatment of the government’s Easter plans is also completely out of the ordinary.
It tells DR’s correspondent in Germany, Michael Reiter.
– I’ve never seen Merkel do that before. I’ve never actually heard oneChancellor , not least one of the world’s leading politicians, is asking his people for forgiveness.
– But I must also just say that in the 20 years I have been in Germany, I never think I have experienced the Germans being as furious at a government as they are now.
