Saxony's CDU explores chances for coalition with BSW

The CDU in Saxony wants to explore opportunities for a joint government with the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance. The state executive of the CDU agreed to a recommendation from the CDU negotiating group, the party announced.

Saxon CDU leader Michael Kretschmer emphasized that the CDU, as the strongest force in the state elections, had been given the task of forming a government. "We want to continue to take responsibility for the state and serve its citizens. This requires a stable government majority," explained Kretschmer. He added: "We will only enter into a coalition if we are firmly convinced that it will serve the state. Compromises will be necessary, but they must not shake the foundations of our political convictions."

After several "introductory talks"

On Thursday evening, the BSW and the SPD had already voted in favor of opening exploratory talks. The BSW's decision was unanimous, while the SPD voted 15 in favor, with two abstentions and two votes against. This means that the exploratory talks can begin next week.

The decision of the party executive committees was preceded by several "familiarization talks". They ended on Wednesday evening with the adoption of a position paper. In it, the potential coalition partners formulate areas of agreement, contentious issues and points where there is still a need for further clarification. "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 text.

In the state elections on September 1, the CDU was the strongest party 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, 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.