A meeting of several CSU politicians with the governor of the US state of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has triggered criticism. DeSantis stands for a new right-wing Kulturkampf, wrote the parliamentary director of the SPD parliamentary group, Katja Mast, on Twitter on Saturday. “Has the CSU found its role model here? The Union reveals what kind of brainchild they are: the far right is being ensnared.”
The federal government’s queer commissioner, Sven Lehmann (Greens), made a similar statement. “If DeSantis’ policy is a role model for the CSU, then good night,” he told the editorial network Germany (RND/Friday). “The right-wing politician is leading a culture war in Florida against women and against lesbians, gays and transgender people. His laws are an acute threat to minorities.”
Former Transportation Minister Andreas Scheuer shared photos of a meeting with Republican Governor DeSantis on Twitter on Friday. Among other things, the defense policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group, Florian Hahn, and the vice-chairman of the Union parliamentary group, Dorothee Bär, can be seen. Scheuer wrote: “The governor’s strong strategic and foreign policy assessments highlight the transatlantic cooperation.”
Even after the criticism, Scheuer defended the trip. “I share DeSantis’ analyses, which may shock some, but I stand by that,” Scheuer told the t-online portal with a view to his views on gender change, for example. “The people I meet have completely different concerns than climate hysteria or gender issues,” said Scheuer.
Florida recently expanded its ban on teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity. With a few exceptions, the regulation applies up to and including the twelfth grade.
