SPD wants swift exploratory talks - BSW says yes unanimously

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the SPD feel ready for an exploratory study in Saxony. After the state executive committees of both parties voted in favor of the next step towards a possible government with the CDU on Thursday evening, the party leaders reaffirmed their willingness to form an alliance for the good of the state. The CDU executive board will decide late this afternoon whether to begin exploratory talks.

Peace policy remains a key issue for the BSW

Saxon BSW Chairwoman Sabine Zimmermann made it clear that peace policy remains a key issue for her party in the exploratory talks. "In the exploratory talks, we will therefore ensure that a coalition agreement contains our peace policy principles. Without a clear commitment to peace policy, we will not enter any government," she told the German Press Agency.

On Thursday evening, the BSW board voted unanimously in favor of entering into official exploratory talks. At the same time, the state executive committee of the Social Democrats voted in favor - but not unanimously. With 15 votes in favor, there were two abstentions and two votes against. The CDU has yet to vote. As things stand, the exploratory talks could begin next week. Previously, there had been several meetings to get to know each other, which resulted in a position paper.

Potential coalition partners want to examine new elements of direct democracy

"We want to achieve the best for Saxony together. We will approach our work pragmatically by working together in a new way," reads the preamble to the position paper. "In this sense, we see our cooperation as an opportunity. We stand for an objective discourse in which different opinions within society can be openly discussed. To this end, we also want to examine new elements of direct democracy and participation."

The three parties also advocate, among other things, faster deportation of rejected asylum seekers and a separation between refugee policy and labor migration. Asylum procedures should be accelerated and asylum seekers should "regularly take on activities for the common good" during the procedure. Other controversial issues in this area include benefits in kind for asylum seekers and the introduction of a separate border police force.

Under the heading "Economy and employment", the potential partners agreed on an increase in the master craftsman bonus, a relief package for farmers and simpler and faster recognition of foreign educational and qualification certificates. At the same time, they announced the reduction of bureaucracy. The debt brake should not be an obstacle to necessary investments in the future, they say elsewhere. So far, the CDU has left no room for a relaxation of the debt brake.

SPD leader calls for swift exploratory talks

"We need a new financial policy in the Free State that invests instead of cuts," SPD leader Henning Homann reiterated. "Even if there is a lot that separates us from our potential partners, we are united by our shared responsibility for Saxony. The meetings have shown that. There can be a basis for joint, stable governance." According to Homann, it is now a matter of "sounding things out objectively and quickly". The SPD wants a stable majority government and not the "political patchwork of a minority government".

The BSW chairwoman Zimmermann was very satisfied with the outcome paper from the talks as an "interim step". However, the truth is: "It is nothing more than a good start."

In the state elections on September 1, the CDU was the strongest party with 31.9% of the vote, ahead of the AfD (30.6%). As the CDU categorically rules out an alliance with the AfD and the Left Party, only an alliance between the CDU, BSW (11.8%) and SPD (7.3%) is an option for a majority government. A continuation of the old coalition of CDU, Greens (5.1 percent) and SPD is not enough.