In Saxony, the CDU and SPD are negotiating a coalition government, unveiling a detailed 110-page agreement that requires party committee approval. The coalition will focus on addressing a €23 billion state budget, including a €2.3 billion consolidation need. Plans involve cutting pension contributions and streamlining government staff while maintaining support for social and cultural sectors. The state parliament is set to elect a new Prime Minister soon, amidst the challenges posed by a minority government and opposition conditions.
Coalition Agreement in Saxony: A New Era for Governance
In Saxony, a significant political development is underway as the CDU and SPD aim to form a coalition government. After extensive negotiations spanning several weeks, party leaders unveiled a comprehensive 110-page coalition agreement in Dresden. However, this agreement still awaits approval from party committees and comes with specific conditions due to the challenging budget situation.
Key Elements of the Coalition Agreement
During a press conference, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and Saxon SPD chairman Henning Homann, along with CDU parliamentary group leader Christian Hartmann and Social Minister Petra Köpping (SPD), presented the coalition agreement. Kretschmer praised the document as an ‘impressive work,’ highlighting the intense negotiations and the collaborative effort that went into its creation, including long hours spent refining its details.
A primary concern for the new state government will be addressing the financial challenges ahead. The Prime Minister pointed out a pressing financial emergency, with a state budget of 23 billion euros and a need for consolidation amounting to 2.3 billion euros, which constitutes ten percent of the budget.
To tackle this, the coalition plans to reduce the Free State’s contributions to future pensions for Saxon civil servants by 270 million euros. This reduction aims to facilitate significant investments. The CDU and SPD are optimistic that new investment strategies implemented in recent years will yield better returns, ensuring adequate provisions despite the cuts. As a precaution, experts will review the overall financing to maintain fiscal responsibility.
Additionally, the coalition plans to streamline the government by reducing the number of state employees. The new government will consist of ten ministers, down from eleven, and eleven state secretaries instead of fifteen. Kretschmer emphasized that a new government must lead by example when it comes to saving resources. Importantly, municipalities and districts will receive enhanced financial support, and both parties are committed to avoiding cuts in social and cultural sectors.
Since mid-November, CDU and SPD have been negotiating the formation of a minority government, as they are short ten votes for a majority in the state parliament. As a solution, they have introduced a consultation mechanism designed to engage the opposition, including the AfD, in the legislative process from the outset.
“We recognize that we do not possess an outright majority,” Kretschmer stated during the presentation, acknowledging the need for humility in their approach. Meanwhile, Saxon’s SPD leader Henning Homann encouraged a shift away from adversarial politics, stating that both government and opposition should strive to work collaboratively.
Significant contributions from various political factions have already been integrated into the coalition agreement. Social Minister Petra Köpping pointed out that issues such as climate change, highlighted by the Greens, have been included in the agreement, along with initiatives proposed during discussions with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (BSW).
The Saxon state parliament is expected to elect a new Prime Minister on December 18 or 19, with plenary sessions scheduled for both days. While the agendas remain in flux, the state constitution allows until early February for the election process. It is yet to be determined whether there will be additional candidates for the Prime Minister position alongside Kretschmer.
However, both the AfD and BSW have laid out conditions for supporting Kretschmer’s election as Prime Minister. AfD state leader Jörg Urban has indicated that he would only back a minority government comprising solely the CDU. Similarly, BSW leader Sabine Zimmermann has urged Kretschmer to take a stronger stance on irregular migration and to avoid cuts in social and cultural sectors. Left leader Susanne Schaper has also voiced opposition to social cuts, while the Greens have expressed skepticism about Kretschmer’s potential re-election.