The leader of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), Markus Söder, has embraced the light-heartedness afforded to German politicians on Ash Wednesday to launch a fierce attack on the outgoing Social Democrat (SPD)-Green coalition.

In a speech delivered as the CSU and its sister party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), engaged in exploratory talks with the SPD, Bavarian Premier Söder reserved harsh comments for incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the broader ruling coalition.

“The nightmare of three years under Olaf Scholz is now history,” he declared in Passau.

Söder magnanimously claimed that the CSU emerged as the primary victor of the February federal elections and declared that Bavaria’s influence in Germany would be indispensable.

His sharpest criticisms were directed at the Green Party, particularly targeting outgoing Minister of Economy Robert Habeck, to whom he bade farewell in English, followed by “Have a good trip, till we never meet again,” switching back to German.

Söder also adopted a more grave tone, advocating for a significant boost to Germany’s defense capabilities.

“Let us strengthen Germany, strengthen Europe, and strengthen Bavaria like never before,” he urged to strong applause.

Ash Wednesday, traditionally a time for political barbs and mockery among rivals, sees Bavarian politicians participating. This year, however, CDU and SPD leaders abstained from the event in favor of focusing on their exploratory coalition negotiations.