In Saxony, a state government consisting of the CDU and the SPD was sealed with the re-election of Michael Kretschmer (CDU) on Wednesday. However, this minority government is ten votes short of a parliamentary majority. That is why we have to rely on cooperation with other parties.
It was an election thriller because Kretschmer failed to secure an absolute majority of parliamentary votes in the first round of voting in the battle against AfD candidate Jörg Urban and Matthias Berger of the Free Voters. In the second round, only a majority of votes cast was required. Here, 69 of the 120 elected representatives voted for the CDU politician, who was thus elected Prime Minister for the third time.
Talks with the Wagenknechtparty failed
But this time his government is under a very bad star. The CDU had ruled out alliances with the AfD and the left from the start. It was no longer sufficient to continue the previous coalition of CDU, Greens and SPD. A so-called Blackberry coalition together with the SPD and the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance could not be established.
Kretschmer wants to involve other parties in projects at an early stage using a consultation mechanism. They must also submit their own suggestions. In principle, this also applies to the AfD. Nevertheless, the CDU and SPD want to pursue their majorities outside the AfD, whose Saxon state association is classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a right-wing extremist effort.
Kretschmer: “I’m looking forward to this collaboration”
Kretschmer and SPD leader Henning Homann had repeatedly emphasized that there could be no cooperation with the AfD. The AfD has so far been isolated in the state parliament. The BSW also recently approved an AfD application. The Free Voters do not believe in a firewall. After his election, Kretschmer said: “I look forward to this collaboration.” He concluded his short speech with a “Glückauf!”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
