As the upcoming state elections in Brandenburg, Thuringia, and Saxony approach, the CDU is currently in discussions about potential partners to form a government. Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) has advocated for increased openness in cooperating with the Left Party, while CDU federal vice-president Karin Prien has not ruled out collaboration with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (BSW). However, Prien emphasized the importance of assessing BSW’s candidates and political goals before deciding on potential collaboration.
Prien reiterated the CDU’s exclusion of cooperation with the Left Party and the AfD. She emphasized that the CDU’s incompatibility decision, which prohibits collaboration with the two parties, remains in effect. Günther has also called for a more open approach to the Left Party but made it clear that the CDU would not seek a coalition with them. Although Günther acknowledged the differences between the CDU and the Left Party, he highlighted that the Left Party is not equivalent to the AfD in its threat to democracy.
The upcoming state elections present a complex challenge, particularly in Thuringia where the AfD is leading in polls, closely followed by the CDU and BSW. Majorities in federal states are uncertain, and forming a government is unclear. The political landscape in East Germany remains uncertain as elections draw near.
Despite these challenges, Prien emphasized that she will continue to prioritize finding a stable government that can support economic growth and stability for all citizens of East Germany. She also called on other parties to put aside their differences and work together towards this goal.
In conclusion, while there may be some debate among politicians about potential partners for coalition formation during upcoming state elections in East Germany, it is clear that finding a stable government remains a top priority for many leaders within both major political parties – including those who advocate for increased openness and cooperation with left-leaning groups like Sahra Wagenknecht’s alliance or even those who have previously been excluded from negotiations such as The Greens or The Pirates party.