Kretschmer strikes a conciliatory note with BSW

Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is looking forward with confidence to further talks with the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance and the SPD for a joint governing coalition. "We have a major challenge after this election result. I would like us to accept it now and not just talk about fears," he said in an interview with the Chemnitz newspaper "Freie Presse".

The alternative would be a minority government. "The difference is: in a minority government, you are in negotiations every day. With every topic, every law, every budget, every small proposal, the discussion starts all over again. That ties up an incredible amount of energy. That's why a coalition is always the better way."

At the same time, Kretschmer, who fiercely attacked Sahra Wagenknecht during the election campaign, struck a conciliatory tone. "Different perceptions of each other can only change if we talk to each other. That's why I sought a conversation," he said, referring to an interim meeting with Wagenknecht.

Meanwhile, the CDU leadership in Saxony also met with the BSW leadership in the state. "It's still too early to predict whether the whole thing can succeed. But what I can already say: I have met people who, in my view, are very serious and very positive," said the CDU state chairman and head of government.

Kretschmer also addressed the question of whether an alliance with the BSW could be a model nationwide in the future. "East Germany is a seismograph, just as young people are in a society. Much of what we are experiencing here will apply to the whole of Germany with a time lag," he said. This can also be seen in other topics, for example in dealing with the issue of war. "The proportion of people who believe that more diplomacy is needed, even in the old federal states, has increased right up to the federal government."

Kretschmer denied that he has any ambitions for federal politics in the event of an election victory for Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz next year. "I was in Berlin for 15 years. That chapter is over for me. I want to give Saxony a stable government and am working to ensure that the next five years are successful for our state." Other people would have to do this in Berlin. However, Kretschmer pleaded for a Saxon to be represented in the "front row" in a future federal government.

The CDU came in just ahead of the AfD (30.6 percent) in the state election on September 1 with 31.9 percent. The BSW achieved 11.8 percent from a standing start. This is no longer enough to continue the old coalition of CDU, Greens and SPD.