SPD top candidate warns against populism in Saxony's election campaign

SPD top candidate and Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping accuses four parties in the Saxon election campaign of populism. They are putting forward theses that are not backed up by anything, said Köpping in Dresden. In addition to the AfD, she named the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), the Free Voters and the far-right Free Saxons.

Even the Free Voters only ever say "everything is garbage": "It annoys me so much that this country is talked about so badly. Because I can see what the people here in this country have achieved. For 34 years, they have turned a shattered region into a really great country." What has been built must not be destroyed by a populist government.

According to Köpping, the far-right Free Saxons are using fake news, lies and slurs during the election campaign. This is poisoning the climate in society. The effects are now also being felt in local councils.

BSW as "the great unknown"

Köpping described the BSW as "the great unknown" in the room. BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht had said that her alliance would only participate in a state government that clearly rejected the stationing of US missiles in Germany. "We will see what value this statement has after the election," said Köpping. We will have to see what substance is actually there if we end up having to conduct coalition negotiations. The chairwoman of the BSW in Saxony, Sabine Zimmermann, had repeatedly criticized the discrediting of her party during the election campaign.

A coalition of CDU, SPD and BSW?

A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony on September 1. The BSW is currently polling at up to 15 percent. It could form a coalition with the CDU and SPD. According to the current poll results, this alliance is the most likely.

It is important that the Saxons elect a stable government so that there are no uncertainties for the future, Köpping said. Security is one of the most important issues for people - "security in terms of peace, but also security in terms of a government". The BSW's election manifesto contains many generalities, but no specifics. "I don't think much of it if we are determined from Saarland," said Köpping, referring to the place of residence of party leader Sahra Wagenknecht.

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