CDU-Heimatunion wants member consultation on coalition

The Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance remains a red rag for parts of the CDU. It is a question of "political hygiene" whether to form a government with the BSW, explained the strongly conservative Heimatunion within the Saxon CDU and suggested a survey of members on the subject. This would be "a sovereign sign of democratic action and would certainly counteract a split in the party".

According to the Heimatunion, the survey should focus on whether the grassroots see greater chances of implementing the CDU government program in a coalition including the BSW or in a minority government. Since the state elections on September 1, the Heimatunion itself has repeatedly spoken out in favor of a minority government. CDU state leader and Minister President Michael Kretschmer has so far been against it.

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

In the opinion of the Heimatunion, a "center-red-dark-red government" would contradict the will of the majority of voters. "Frustration and further radicalization would be the inevitable result. In the long term, this would cause great damage not only to Saxony, but also to democracy," it said. The statement is already widespread: "No matter what we vote for, we will always get left-wing or green parties in government."

After a large proportion of BSW MPs voted in favor of an AfD motion for a coronavirus investigation committee in the Saxon state parliament on Friday, the further course of the exploratory talks is still up in the air. The SPD had interrupted the talks. Top politicians from the three potential coalition partners are now to decide whether to continue. The BSW called on the SPD to return to the negotiating table.