Sahra Wagenknecht alliance focuses on reconciliation in society

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) wants to focus on reconciliation in society when dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. This is the aim of her parliamentary group's motion to set up a committee of inquiry, said Saxony's BSW chairwoman Sabine Zimmermann ahead of a special session of the state parliament. "We must be better prepared for future emergencies - both medically and in our social interaction with one another."

Zimmermann sees the fact that the AfD parliamentary group also submitted a motion for a committee of inquiry as a success for her own party. The AfD apparently felt compelled to do so, although it could have done so years ago, said the BSW leader. "Our presence in the state parliament is already having an effect."

State parliament to decide on motions on Friday

The Saxon state parliament will decide on the two motions from the AfD and BSW on Friday. The establishment of a committee of inquiry requires the approval of one fifth of the 120 MPs - 24 votes. The AfD has 40 seats in the state parliament, so it is considered certain that the committee will be set up.

The BSW parliamentary group, on the other hand, only has 15 MPs and cannot set up a committee on its own. Whether there is enough support for their motion from other parliamentary groups is questionable.

The CDU and SPD, with whom the BSW is currently holding exploratory talks for a possible governing coalition, want to take a different approach to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, they submitted a motion for a commission of inquiry to look ahead and draw lessons for future pandemics. Parliament will not vote on this motion until a later date.