Lies about Bavaria: "Like Crab Sticks and Weißwurst"

Lies about Bavaria: "Like Crab Sticks and Weißwurst" - Lies about Bavaria: "Like Crab Sticks and Weißwurst"

The premiers of Lower Saxony and Bavaria have highlighted their ability to work together despite political and regional differences. Olaf Lies and Markus Söder, both 58, represent states with major automotive industries—Volkswagen in Lower Saxony and BMW/Audi in Bavaria. Their collaboration now serves as an example of cross-party cooperation in German politics.

Lies and Söder have joined forces on several key issues. They previously pushed for delays to the combustion engine phase-out and lobbied for a German-made successor to an armoured vehicle programme. Their shared efforts extend beyond policy, with Lies describing their partnership as a mix of North German Krabbenbrötchen and Bavarian white sausage—a blend of distinct traditions working in harmony.

Yet their cooperation isn’t without differences. On energy infrastructure, Lies favours burying power lines underground, while Söder has shown openness to overhead cables. Despite these disagreements, Lies insists that German politics can still find common ground, regardless of party or regional divides. Both leaders were born in 1967 and govern states deeply tied to the automotive sector. Their ongoing collaboration suggests a pragmatic approach to governance, even when views don’t fully align.

The partnership between Lies and Söder demonstrates how regional leaders can unite on major issues. Their combined influence in automotive policy and defence procurement could shape future decisions. While differences remain, their cooperation offers a model for cross-party problem-solving in Germany.