Enquete Commission: CDU adopts proposals of the Left Party

Historic hour in the Saxon state parliament: For the first time since the re-establishment of the Free State of Saxony in 1990, the CDU has agreed to proposals from the Left in parliament. Specifically, this concerns the motion by the CDU-SPD minority coalition to set up the Enquete Commission "Dealing with the Corona pandemic: lessons for the future handling of pandemics in the Free State of Saxony".

Left parties hope for a new political culture in the Free State

The Left parties had put forward their own ideas. "As agreed, the coalition has adopted our proposals for the Enquete Commission, which is why we have dispensed with our own amendment. This gives us hope that the announcement of a new political culture is meant seriously," parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper told the German Press Agency.

"So far, all coalitions have blindly rejected what we have proposed. That seems to be changing," emphasized Schaper. At the suggestion of the Left Party, the coalition will now also address the question of what consequences the pandemic has had for social institutions. "We are interested in gaining future-oriented knowledge instead of apportioning blame." External expertise and the involvement of the population are needed.

Until now, all Left Party motions were rejected

Until now, it was common practice in the state parliament for the CDU to generally reject Left Party motions. Former PDS parliamentary group leader and member of parliament Klaus Bartl likes to recall that in all those years, only one motion by the Left was passed - it concerned the renunciation of the use of African rainforest timber in state authorities. And even that only worked because the CDU was already "sleepy" late at night.

In March 2023, the then coalition of CDU, Greens and SPD at least approved the urgency of a motion by the Left on the subject of pensions in the East, even if they later rejected the motion themselves. With a view to the CDU-SPD minority government, the cards are now being reshuffled. Black-Red need ten votes from other parliamentary groups to gain their own majorities. The coalition is therefore reaching out.

Commission of Inquiry to begin work on February 1, 2025

The Commission of Inquiry to investigate the coronavirus pandemic is to begin its work on February 1 and present a final report by the end of 2027 if possible. According to CDU MP Iris Firmenich, it should not only draw lessons, but also make a contribution to reconciliation and social cohesion.

In addition to the commission of inquiry, a parliamentary committee of inquiry will also look into the pandemic in Saxony. It was set up with the votes of the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance. Both parties also agree with the Enquete Commission.