SPD: Köpping and Panter to take over ministries

In the event of SPD participation in government in Saxony, current Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping and parliamentary group leader Dirk Panter are to take over the two ministerial posts. This proposal was unanimously submitted to the state executive committee of the Saxon SPD.

Köpping, as Minister of State for Social Affairs, Health and Social Cohesion, would also take on the role of Deputy Prime Minister. Panter is envisaged as Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection.

Members and state executive committee asked

The personnel proposal is, however, subject to reservations: The prerequisite is that the majority of SPD Saxony members approve the negotiated coalition agreement in the ongoing consultation and that the state executive committee formally confirms both the agreement and the personnel proposal.

The SPD members' vote on the coalition agreement with the CDU is to be determined on 16 December. The approximately 4,600 party members have until December 15 to cast their votes. The votes will be counted the following day and the result announced in the evening.

If the SPD base approves the agreement, the election of the Prime Minister could take place two days later at the state parliament session on December 18. The necessary change to the agenda is also possible at short notice.