Saxony-Anhalt Premier Schulze defends campaign tour with actor Hallervorden

Sven Schulze has defended his election campaign tour with actor Dieter Hallervorden following widespread cross-party criticism, insisting the events were about freedom of expression rather than party disloyalty.

Schulze Responds to Criticism

In an Instagram post, the Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt addressed the backlash over his joint appearances with Hallervorden, during which the actor sharply criticized key CDU figures, including:

• Franziska Hoppermann, CDU General Secretary
• Boris Pistorius, Defense Minister
• Friedrich Merz, Chancellor

Hallervorden recently sang in Dessau: "Greetings, Friedrich Merz. I wanted to write to you, but I'll rather leave it and say it so everyone hears: We are supposed to be fit for war, just like 90 years ago. To hell with those who demand this of us."

Key Points from Schulze's Statement

• Acknowledged disagreement: "There was an artist who said and sang things that I consider wrong – some of them I even consider fundamentally wrong," Schulze admitted. "I contradicted him, but afterwards, we still stood on the same stage."
• Refused to censor: He rejected calls to cancel or censor the event, noting the evening was titled "Art needs freedom," not "Art needs approval."
• Trust in the public: "They don't need anyone to protect them from opinions," he said confidently.

Not a Sign Against Berlin or His Party

Schulze insisted the tour was not an act of defiance:

"That's why this is not a sign against Berlin, not a contra against my party – no matter how much that is being written right now."

He added: "A minister president who only wants to hear what pleases him has already lost the country." Freedom, he argued, only becomes recognizable through differing opinions.

Final Message to Voters

"On September 6, you decide entirely on your own – without anyone telling you what to do."

Source: Fabian Sommer/dpa