Exploratory talks in Saxony continue with the topic of peace

The CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht coalition (BSW) and the SPD have reached a crucial point in their exploratory talks for a possible coalition in Saxony. This concerns a passage in a future coalition agreement in which the partners formulate their approach to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The talks are to continue on Tuesday. After the first round, the participants left the state chancellery without comment.

Sondierungen noch bis Donnerstag geplant

For the CDU, Minister President Michael Kretschmer and parliamentary group leader Christian Hartmann took part in the meeting. The BSW was represented by its chairwoman Sabine Zimmermann and media scientist Marcel Machill, while the SPD was represented by party leader Henning Homann and Economics Minister Martin Dulig.

The exploratory talks are set to continue until at least Thursday. The results will then be summarized and submitted to the party committees.

Stance on war and peace a key issue for the BSW

The BSW had made the issue of war and peace a central question in the exploratory talks. According to Zimmermann, it is wrong to always refer to the federal government on this topic. "You also have to listen to the voices in Saxony who no longer want Germany to deal with the war in Ukraine in this way and are calling for greater diplomatic efforts," the BSW boss said recently. This had been neglected in the last two years, with Germany focusing primarily on arms deliveries.

Head of government Kretschmer had also repeatedly called for greater diplomatic efforts to end the bloody war. However, the CDU and BSW take opposing positions on the stationing of US missiles in Germany, which are intended to deter Russia.

A formula compromise from the exploratory talks in Thuringia had triggered criticism of the Thuringian BSW from BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht and other party members. BSW state leader Katja Wolf now wants to sharpen up the wording in the coalition negotiations.

Greens sharply criticize government formation in Saxony

The Saxon Greens - coalition partners of the CDU in the old government - have meanwhile voiced harsh criticism. In a key motion for the Green Party conference on November 23 in Chemnitz, there is talk of "chaos in the formation of the government". The BSW is leading the CDU and "through the nose ring by acting as Putin's extended arm here in Saxony and trying to influence foreign policy via Saxony's state politics", the motion states, among other things.