TOP HESSE CDU PLAYERS KOCH AND ROTH TUSSLE

UNCLAS FRANKFURT 005570 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR ECON EAIR GM SUBJECT: TOP HESSE CDU PLAYERS KOCH AND ROTH TUSSLE REF: A) 2002 FRANKFURT 11843; B) FRANKFURT 392 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Hesse's two most powerful Christian Democratic (CDU) politicians, Hesse's Minister President Roland Koch and Frankfurt Lord Mayor Petra Roth have public disagreements and competing national ambitions. Roth was elected in May 2003 as president of the German Council of Cities. Koch was reelected in February 2003 as Minister- President of Hesse with an absolute majority. They disagree on major issues such as the expansion of Frankfurt airport and regional reform. Though Roth is losing support in the Hesse state CDU, she remains very popular in Frankfurt. Her public opposition to Koch's initiatives could create problems for the Hesse Minister-President for the remainder of his second term. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The media have reported a serious rift between Hesse Minister-President Roland Koch and Frankfurt Lord Mayor Petra Roth (both CDU). The Frankfurter Neue Presse, a left-of-center newspaper, quotes CDU politicians' description of icy relations between the two influential Hesse leaders that date back to Roth's re-election as Mayor of Frankfurt two years ago. Roth had distanced herself from Koch, who was then entangled in a party financing scandal. Roth denies allegations of tensions, stating that, "There are several politicians in Wiesbaden who want to fabricate a rift that does not exist." She does admit that she tends to compensate with her outspoken views for what she perceives as Frankfurt's insufficient representation in the state parliament. "Frankfurt is Hesse's most important urban center," says Roth's assistant, "But we only have twelve deputies in state parliament (out of 100). Frankfurt lacks a strong lobby." ¶3. (SBU) Roth and Koch, publicly clash on: - Frankfurt airport expansion. Koch supports it, Roth rejects the selected variant, because due to the potential increase in noise for residents near Frankfurt; - Regional reform. Roth would like more responsibility for a regional (multi-state) body led by Frankfurt to facilitate administrative, economic and cultural cooperation. Koch intends to limit Frankfurt's influence; - Privatization of the Frankfurt Trade Fair, a huge exhibition center in downtown Frankfurt. Koch supports selling Hesse's 40 percent share. Roth is against selling the city of Frankfurt's 60 percent share. ¶4. (SBU) Since Lord Mayor Petra Roth was elected head of the German Council of Cities May 15, 2003, she has been de facto Hesse's second most powerful politician. Roth's relationship with the Chairman of the Frankfurt CDU, Udo Corts is especially problematic. Udo Corts is Hesse Minister of Higher Education and former state Interior Minister. He is a rising star in Koch's cabinet, and a favorite of the Minister-President. In a meeting with the Consul General in June, Corts openly expressed his dislike of Roth. Corts said that Roth is losing support in the state CDU due to her reputation for unreliability and open resistance to Koch's initiatives. Corts said not only Koch, but other cabinet members, are wondering what Roth's goals really are. Corts also said it was, "far from certain that Roth will be re-nominated by the state CDU, if her track record does not improve." (Note: Roth was re-elected for a six-year term in 2001.) ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Koch and Roth are both ambitious politicians who have set their sights on national office: Koch for Chancellor (2006),Roth for Federal President (2004). Both know that it would be virtually impossible for two Hesse politicians to hold these offices at the same time and the competition adds to the tension between them. (Note: Despite her ambitions, most observers put Roth's chances of becoming Federal President at close to zero.) Koch's drive to redesign the administrative structure of the region is perceived as a threat by Roth and others across the Frankfurt political party spectrum. The tension between Hesse's competitive Minister-President Roland Koch and Frankfurt's vocal Lord Mayor Petra Roth could make Koch's second term more difficult than his absolute majority might indicate. End comment. BODDE