Overview

• CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann praised Julia Klöckner’s performance, saying she brought “new freshness” to the office and shows a “clear stance,” in comments to Funke newspapers.
• He rejected Robert Habeck’s charge that Klöckner divides rather than unites and said he would not “kick while leaving” when departing from parliament.
• Habeck, who is exiting the Bundestag, told taz that Klöckner failed to act above party politics and also directed sharp words at CSU leader Markus Söder.
• Klöckner has dismissed accusations of partisan conduct in the presidency and maintains she is upholding free speech and parliamentary order.
• Her tenure has drawn scrutiny over earlier appearances and decisions, including criticism of her handling of Berlin’s CSD and attendance at a CDU summer event hosted by businessman Frank Gotthardt, a key financier of the right-populist-labeled portal Nius.