Günther: BSW demands make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end

Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President Daniel Günther (CDU) warns his party against making too many compromises with the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance in view of the difficult government formation in Thuringia and Saxony. Respect dictates that the negotiations should be left to the Christian Democrats on the ground and not commented on from the sidelines, Günther told "Der Spiegel". However, the CDU politician added: "The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when I imagine that the CDU could end up concluding a coalition agreement with a party whose stance on Europe, NATO and Germany's ties to the West are in stark contrast to the fundamental positions of the CDU/CSU."

The BSW wants to see passages for more diplomatic engagement to end the war in Ukraine and against the stationing of US missiles in Germany enshrined in coalition agreements in the federal states. In Günther's view, this goes too far beyond state politics. "The Union must not enter into an alliance with a party that dictates what stance it should take in a war between a despot and a democratic country. For me, that would be crossing the line, which we must not do," warned the Minister President.

When asked whether minority governments were an alternative to an alliance with the BSW, Günther said: "I don't think that's a no-go." There had also been a red-red-green minority government in Thuringia. The government led by left-wing politician Bodo Ramelow then repeatedly sought compromises with the opposition CDU parliamentary group in the state parliament. "And I've always said that in a situation like this, you shouldn't rule out holding talks with the Left," said Günther. "I have found Bodo Ramelow to be someone you can work with in a spirit of trust. Conversely, why shouldn't he tolerate a CDU-led minority government?"