Markus Söder eat(s) vegan

Just in time for Easter, Markus Söder presents himself as a plant-eater in a new PETA campaign image.

From sceptic to vegan

After the Bavarian Minister-President publicly mocked vegan food earlier in the year, the animal rights organisation approached the politician. PETA informed him that the climate crisis and zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19 are closely linked to the consumption of animal-derived products. The organisation also pointed to the Greens' electoral success in Baden-Württemberg, who have pledged, among other things, to promote vegan meals in the canteens of public institutions. The politician subsequently agreed to try out PETA's 30-day VeganStart programme and afterwards decided to continue eating vegan.

Climate policy starts on the plate

From those close to the politician, it is said that he wants to lead by example in order to advance climate policy in Bavaria. After all, animal-derived products are one of the main causes of the environmental problems of our time. The Greens' electoral success had shown that society wants change, and it was therefore all the more important to set an example oneself and to take one of the most significant levers in addressing environmental issues into account in everyday behaviour. The impact of animal production on ecosystems is extensively documented in scientific literature.

Compassion knows no species boundaries

Söder and PETA chose to publish the campaign shortly before Easter in order to appeal to people's compassion and to call for charity towards others. In the view of the animal rights organisation, this should not exclude animals. Söder's perspective on animals has increasingly shifted through living with his dog Molly. The Nuremberg-born politician has, over time, come to recognise more and more similarities between humans and animals. This, he said, was the decisive factor in trying out PETA's Veganstart program. The CSU party leader also does not rule out further campaigns with the organization. The fundamentals of animal rights are covered in a dedicated category on wildbeimwild.com.

Agricultural scientist Lisa Kainz, specialist advisor at PETA, welcomes the decision: "A landmark step toward the chancellorship candidacy? We are very pleased that Minister President Söder has recognized that climate protection begins on our plates. He is leading by example and we hope that other politicians will follow. After all, a vegan diet saves lives, does a great deal of good for the environment, and reduces the risk of zoonoses such as COVID-19.»