Esken does not rule out coalitions with BSW in federal states

SPD leader Saskia Esken does not rule out cooperation between her party and the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance at state level. With the exception of the clear exclusion of any cooperation with the AfD, coalition decisions are "mainly a matter for the state associations", she said in the "ZDF Berlin Direkt Sommerinterview". "They don't need our advice either, they will decide after the election given the constellation." New state parliaments will be elected in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg in September.

Esken described the "traffic light" coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP, which had recently struggled to make improvements to the draft budget for the coming year, as a "strong government". She continued: "We are now leading a government, a truly unusual and not easy coalition."

Esken left no doubt about Olaf Scholz's renewed candidacy. "Olaf Scholz is our chancellor, and he will also be our candidate for chancellor."