Coalition negotiations have commenced in Brandenburg between the SPD and BSW following state elections. Aiming to elect a prime minister before Christmas, both parties are also tackling financial challenges, including a projected tax revenue shortfall. They emphasize prioritization over austerity and have established workgroups for key sectors. The discussions have been characterized as open and constructive, with both parties united on foreign policy regarding the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, the CDU criticizes the SPD’s shift in principles amid these negotiations.
Coalition Negotiations Begin in Brandenburg
After holding five exploratory meetings, the SPD and BSW have embarked on a new chapter: the first coalition negotiations in Brandenburg. The two parties have set an ambitious timeline, aiming to finalize their discussions before the festive season.
Approximately six weeks post the Brandenburg state elections, coalition talks kicked off on Monday at the SPD headquarters in Potsdam. Following the initial meeting, both parties expressed a commitment to elect a prime minister prior to Christmas. SPD General Secretary David Kolesnyk shared this goal with the German Press Agency (DPA).
BSW state chairman Robert Crumbach acknowledged the challenging timeline but remains optimistic about achieving it. “We will strive to make it happen,” he noted. According to the Brandenburg constitution, the prime minister’s election must occur by mid-January.
Addressing Financial Challenges
As negotiations progress, the SPD and BSW are also addressing the increasingly pressing financial issues facing the state. With forecasts indicating a drop in tax revenues, a reevaluation of certain expenditures is on the agenda. SPD parliamentary group leader Daniel Keller stated, “Some things need to be critically questioned, but this isn’t merely a discussion about cuts.”
Both parties, alongside SPD Finance Minister Katrin Lange, are advocating for a prioritization policy rather than austerity measures. Crumbach emphasized, “We will not have to implement austerity policies, but we will need to focus on clear prioritization.” Recently, it was announced that the state anticipates a shortfall of 403.7 million euros in expected tax revenues, prompting the need for both parties to streamline bureaucracy and enhance efficiency.
The SPD and BSW have laid the groundwork for coalition discussions through a foundational document, while working groups are tackling specific areas such as education, internal justice, economy, health, and transportation. Potential obstacles within these sectors could arise as negotiations advance.
In terms of foreign policy, both parties are united in advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and sustainable peace.
The atmosphere during discussions has been described as open and constructive. Crumbach expressed that the parties meet on equal terms, while Keller highlighted the importance of confidentiality in fostering trust.
A coalition between the SPD and BSW would mark a significant shift, given the SPD’s governance in Brandenburg since 1990 and the recent establishment of the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance. Together, the SPD and BSW command a realistic majority in the state parliament, holding 46 of the 88 seats, while the opposition, comprised of AfD and CDU, holds 42 seats.
As coalition talks unfold, similar negotiations are also commencing in Thuringia with the CDU, BSW, and SPD collaborating.
The CDU has criticized the SPD for prioritizing power over principles, with state chairman Jan Redmann stating that the SPD has deviated from its core beliefs. He described the situation as a “Matryoshka” coalition, where layers of political allegiance are nested within one another, ultimately questioning the integrity of the SPD’s leadership.