Annette Widmann-Mauz, the integration commissioner of the German government, omits a note on Christmas on a greeting card, triggering a debate.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer emphasized in her congress speech before her election as new CDU chairperson, in the future more emphasis on the Christian roots. But the message has not yet reached Annette Widmann-Mauz, the head of the Women’s Union and one of her most zealous supporters. On a greeting card before the holidays, she has left out the word “Christmas” as integration commissioner of the German government and thus attracted criticism. “No matter what you believe in, we wish you a peaceful time and a good start to the new year”, it says on the map of the CDU politician, the Minister of State at the Chancellery.
Sevim Dagdelen, migration expert and deputy leader of the Left in the Bundestag, criticized on Wednesday: “It is regrettable that misunderstood tolerance evidently makes Christmas, the feast of love,invisible.”
The paper quoted the magazine as saying: “Confident is different! Of course you have to be able to congratulate Christians, above all as politicians and as integration commissioners!”
Also from their own party came sharp criticism. Sylvia Pantel (CDU), Member of the Family Committee of the Bundestag, said:”Anyone who sends a greeting card with the words” No matter what you believe “as a member of the government during the Christmas season must ask yourself what values he stands for and what significance the card has.” CDU internal expert Marc Henrichmann said: “Only those who cannot hide their own values but represent them with conviction can integrate.”
A photo of the card, on the Widmann-Mauz with her team can be seen, posted the politician on Tuesday even on Twitter and Facebook. To this she wrote: “Merry Christmas to all in Germany!” On Sunday she had also posted on Facebook: “I wish you a nice 3rd Advent!
