May 8 to be a day of remembrance in Saxony - CDU in favor of left-wing law

For the first time in its recent history, the Saxon state parliament has passed a bill by the opposition Left Party, also with the votes of the ruling CDU. The vote declares May 8 a day of remembrance. It is intended to commemorate the liberation from National Socialism and the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945. In addition to the CDU/SPD minority coalition and the Left Party, the bill was also supported by the BSW, while the AfD voted against it.

For the CDU, approval of the Left's legislation has been taboo since the new parliament was formed after German reunification in 1990. To this day, a CDU incompatibility resolution rules out coalition-like cooperation with the Left Party.

Decision based on agreement between coalition and opposition

The current course correction is based on an agreement between the CDU-SPD minority government and the opposition factions BSW, Greens and Left Party. As the coalition lacks ten votes in parliament for its own majority, the opposition groups are to be involved in government projects at an early stage and be able to bring their own concerns through parliament. The AfD did not want to participate in the so-called coalition mechanism.

Amendment motions by BSW and AfD fail to gain a majority

The CDU/CSU had tabled an amendment to the bill. The AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) had also tabled amendments, but both in vain. The AfD wanted German victims and, in particular, displaced persons to be commemorated on this day. The BSW wanted the phrase "Reminder for Peace" to be included in the title of the day of remembrance and was also unsuccessful.

Memorial Day should keep memories alive

"As a "day of remembrance for the liberation from National Socialism and the end of the Second World War in Europe", 8 May will in future help to keep the memory of the crimes against humanity committed by the National Socialists alive year after year and pay tribute to those who put an end to them in 1945," explained Left Party parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper.