Opposition insists on more influence in state politics

BSW, Left and Greens in the Saxon state parliament want to exert more influence on state policy. The minority government made up of the CDU and SPD has proposed a consultation mechanism for this, but the ideas that have come to light so far do not go far enough for the opposition parties. As the largest opposition party in parliament, the AfD does not want to participate in the mechanism and speaks of a "democracy simulation".

Through a consultation mechanism, the opposition parties should be involved in projects at an early stage and also be able to submit their own proposals.

Greens: Parliament not a rubber-stamping event for government projects

"The consultation mechanism should guarantee an upstream procedure for government bills. With us, however, there will be no restriction or curtailment of parliamentary rights," Green parliamentary group leader Franziska Schubert told the German Press Agency. The state parliament is "not a nodding-off event for government projects and also not an association that is listened to on the side".

Opposition parliamentary groups see need for changes to the mechanism

The parliamentary groups have been able to submit their ideas for the mechanism to the CDU and SPD in recent days. A final decision is still pending.

Schubert feels that the minority coalition's draft for the procedure lacks a proposal for parliamentary laws and the upcoming double budget. He believes that urgency is required for the budget in particular. "The minority coalition must now take a clear turn."

"The current confusion surrounding the consultation mechanism shows that clear and transparent procedures are needed, otherwise there will be gridlock and chaos in this country. In our view, the procedure should be set out in writing and be comprehensible for everyone," emphasized Schubert.

BSW calls for a consultation mechanism at eye level

For the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, only a consultation mechanism at eye level is conceivable. BSW head Sabine Zimmermann rejects a one-way street. "We want to contribute constructively with our own legislative proposals and be involved in government projects at an early stage." It should not amount to a muzzle for the others. If it was only a matter of nodding off black-red projects, the CDU and SPD would be wrong.

The Left Party also indicated a need for change. "When the state parliament discusses and amends state government bills in order to find a majority, it must be transparent which parliamentary group has pushed through which points," emphasized Parliamentary Secretary Luise Neuhaus-Wartenberg. In addition, a procedure must be found with the coalition for negotiating and adopting initiatives from parliament.

Left: "Our votes don't come for free."

"It is less important to us whether it is set out in writing or only promised verbally. It depends on the results," said Neuhaus-Wartenberg. There will be numerous issues to negotiate over the next five years. Majorities can only be achieved with compromises, give and take. "Our votes don't come for free."

The CDU and SPD formed a minority government shortly before Christmas. It is ten votes short of a majority in the state parliament. The CDU has 41 seats in parliament, while the AfD has 40 seats. They are followed by the BSW (15), SPD (10), Greens (7) and Left Party (6). The Free Voters are represented by one MP.