State parliament decides on sub-committees on coronavirus pandemic

The Saxon state parliament will decide today in a special session on parliamentary committees of inquiry to investigate the coronavirus pandemic. Two motions by the AfD and BSW parliamentary groups will be put to the vote (10.00 a.m.).

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 the establishment of the committee is considered certain.

The BSW parliamentary group, on the other hand, only has 15 MPs and cannot establish 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 exploring 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.