Saxony seeks new government options after failed exploratory talks

After the failure of exploratory talks to form a three-party alliance between the CDU, BSW and SPD, it remains to be seen how the formation of a government in Saxony will proceed. On Wednesday, the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance broke off the talks and declared them a failure.

The differences on key issues such as peace, migration policy and finances were too great. The plan for a so-called Brombeer coalition, which is also being pursued in Thuringia and Brandenburg, has thus collapsed. Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and SPD leader Henning Homann blamed BSW namesake Sahra Wagenknecht.

Zimmermann wants to remain in contact with the CDU and SPD

Saxony's BSW state chairwoman Sabine Zimmermann announced that she now wants to work constructively in opposition. She emphasized that she also wanted to remain in contact with the CDU and SPD in this position: "We will see what we can help shape." She left open the question of whether the BSW would support a CDU-led minority government, as well as the question of whether they would support Kretschmer in the election for Minister President.

Kretschmer: "huge disappointment"

Kretschmer spoke of a "huge disappointment" after the exploratory talks were broken off. They had not seen this coming. "The fact that Ms. Wagenknecht is putting her Saxon people on the back foot like this is not a good development," said Kretschmer. He thinks this is a great pity for Saxony.

Now it is a matter of forming a government: According to the constitution, the Prime Minister of Saxony must be elected within four months of the new state parliament being constituted. The deadline is the beginning of February 2025. However, this time should not be exhausted, according to Kretschmer. He wants to avoid new elections, which would otherwise be necessary. "We have a Saxon state parliament that has been elected and we will now respect this majority."

Minority government probably only option

As the CDU has ruled out coalitions with the AfD and the Left, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) basically only has the option of forming a minority government. Strong conservative forces in the CDU/CSU have repeatedly called for this recently, but the Minister President has always rejected it. According to Kretschmer, the party committees are now discussing how to proceed. A pause for thought over the weekend is now needed. The SPD also announced internal discussions.

At the same time, Kretschmer once again ruled out cooperation with the AfD. On Tuesday, he met with AfD leader Jörg Urban for a confidential meeting. The meeting took place at the request of the AfD. Kretschmer did not want to refuse out of respect for parliament.

The CDU and SPD presented themselves together on the podium at the state press conference on Wednesday - as if they were already partners in a joint minority government. But even in this constellation, both are now dependent on votes from the opposition - an unusual circumstance, especially for the CDU, which has long been spoiled by success.

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