Negotiations for potential coalitions involving the CDU, SPD, and BSW in Saxony and Thuringia face challenges after the SPD suspended talks due to contentious voting behavior. Disagreements over Ukraine policy and the BSW’s alignment have created tension, with urgent discussions underway. As the CDU and SPD seek diplomatic resolutions, the BSW demands more assertive stances on peace. Meanwhile, Brandenburg is progressing quietly towards forming a new government, albeit amidst the turmoil affecting other states.
Politicians from the CDU, SPD, and BSW are striving to advance coalition negotiations, but recent challenges in Saxony and Thuringia may hinder progress. A critical test lies ahead.
The situation took a turn on Friday afternoon when the SPD in Saxony halted exploratory discussions with the BSW and CDU. This abrupt pause was prompted by the recent voting behavior of the Wagenknecht party in the state parliament.
A peculiar circumstance unfolded as members of parliament debated the creation of a coronavirus investigation committee, initially proposed by the AfD. Following that, the BSW submitted a similar motion. Both the CDU and SPD opposed the motions but opted not to criticize their potential coalition partner, with CDU representative Sören Voigt commending the BSW for its ’empathetic’ approach during the plenary session.
However, this apparent cordiality masks underlying tensions within the SPD. Several BSW members supported the AfD’s proposal, a move that caught the SPD off guard and was deemed unacceptable by some within their ranks. The comments made by BSW leader Sabine Zimmermann were interpreted by some as an affront to SPD ministers.
This suspension of discussions in Saxony is yet another chapter in a recurring narrative. Just as consensus between the three parties seems to be established, unforeseen complications arise.
Meanwhile, CDU, SPD, and BSW are making headway in negotiations across three federal states.
Thuringia’s Quest for a ‘Peace Formula’
Just last week, the BSW in Thuringia agreed to a carefully crafted exploratory document negotiated with the CDU and SPD. However, antes coalition negotiations can commence, the parties must first agree on a ‘peace formula’ concerning Ukraine policy. This stipulation was strongly advocated by party leader Sahra Wagenknecht during a recent executive meeting.
Wagenknecht intensified her stance two days later, insisting that the CDU in Saxony and Thuringia disassociate from party leader Friedrich Merz’s views on the Ukraine situation. This was seen as an overreach as she appeared to dictate terms to the other parties.
This situation stemmed from Merz’s speech in the Bundestag, where he reiterated calls for Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine, justifying potential strikes on Russian targets. Wagenknecht views this as an escalation towards war. Both the federal SPD and CDU dismissed her comments, suggesting they amounted to political blackmail.
BSW leader Wagenknecht asserted that the war-and-peace discourse is not negotiable, highlighting the critical nature of the topic.
Negotiations in Jeopardy
Leaders at the BSW are perplexed by the uproar, emphasizing that Merz has provided clear directives to his party and is closely coordinating with them, meaning his remarks demanded a response.
The BSW is adamant that their demands for a halt to arms shipments to Ukraine and opposition to the deployment of U.S. medium-range missiles in Germany should be prioritized in any coalition pact. Conversely, the CDU and SPD prefer to emphasize diplomacy, considering these matters are under federal jurisdiction rather than state control.
Despite this, the BSW remains steadfast. Proponents close to Wagenknecht argue the peace dialogue cannot be lost to trivial compromises. Participants in Thuringia continually affirm that a pragmatic solution is attainable.
Efforts to reach an agreement among the CDU, SPD, and BSW in Thuringia have been ongoing since Monday. Yet by Friday, no proposals emerged that satisfied Wagenknecht.
The three parties intend to reconvene in the coming days, although the likelihood of a breakdown in talks seems increasingly probable. An insider shared with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that alternative options must be evaluated if discussions falter.
There is disarray over the path forward in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg.
How Cohesive is the BSW?
The BSW is under scrutiny for two reasons. Speculation is growing that Wagenknecht’s state factions might pursue independence. Katja Wolf fueled this narrative in an interview shortly after advocating for continued negotiations.
The Thuringian BSW leader remarked, ‘Ms. Wagenknecht is focused on the federal election and fears our pragmatic approach in Thuringia could undermine her strategy of clearly distinguishing herself from other parties.’ Sabine Zimmermann, her counterpart in Saxony, echoed similar sentiments shortly thereafter, but both leaders emphasized their loyalty to the party and to Wagenknecht.
A more concerning remark from Wagenknecht has also raised