Erfurt - It is Dieter Althaus' first public appearance since his serious skiing accident on New Year's Day. Narrow face, marked by months of his battle against the consequences of skull-brain trauma, pale and with a serious expression, the Prime Minister of Thuringia is the press conference in its place.
After the death of the 41-year-old Beata Christandl, with whom he had collided on the ski slopes in the Austrian ski resort Riesneralm Donnersbachwald, nothing is as it was, acknowledges Althaus. "The accident will occupy me all my life," Althaus said thoughtfully. Among her survivors, he maintains contact.
In the clash, he has no recollection. "From the report, which I have received, it appears that I bear the blame. The charged me. And I wear them hard. I have learned painfully how fragile life is. And that people make mistakes and need forgiveness are "formulated by the Prime Minister. Respect for the human and ethical questions have for him now even more important.
Previously, Althaus had spoken only of responsibility for the accidental death of Beata Christandl that her husband and left behind a year-old baby. The Prime Minister at that time: "The category of debt is inappropriate."
Nevertheless, the 50-year-old left no doubt that he felt strong enough, you attend to "fully and entirely to politics." With all his strength he would now take over the government. No, he had thought of giving up at any time.
A month ago, Althaus from the rehabilitation clinic in Allensbach had been released at Lake Constance. Since then, he was in his home town of Heiligenstadt in outpatient treatment. His wife Catherine was always at his side.
The state-CDU can breathe a sigh: Without Althaus the state election would be on 30 August was probably lost. Now it may at least in a coalition government with the FDP rich, so surveys.
The Christian Democrats had placed in the last few months on their top man - was a plan B, there is also no personal alternative.
The political grace period for the ailing prime minister is now finally over. The opposition evaluated the first appearance Althaus 'as' production without looking statements. "
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