The traffic light parties suffered a setback in the elections in Saxony and Thuringia. The next day they discussed the consequences. In the states, complicated government formations are imminent.
Following the AfD’s success in the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, the embattled traffic light parties are discussing the consequences in Berlin. The party leaders are answering questions together with the leading candidates from the states. Difficult government formation is looming in the states. In both Saxony and Thuringia, the CDU wants to provide the prime minister. However, it is unclear which alliances could make this possible.
CDU in Thuringia needs BSW – and the Left
In Thuringia, the AfD is well ahead, but will probably not be included in the formation of a new government because the other parties have ruled out a coalition with it. There had been hopes that there might be enough for an unprecedented alliance between the CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht coalition (BSW) and the SPD, but then the seats in the state parliament were tied: 44 for the possible three-party coalition on the one hand and 44 seats for the possible opposition of the AfD and the Left on the other.
Such an alliance would therefore also depend on the Left. The co-chairman of the Thuringian Left, Christian Schaft, told the dpa that if toleration negotiations or something similar were necessary, his party would enter into these talks “openly”. For the CDU, such a model would probably mean discussions, because the party has so far ruled out an alliance with the Left with a resolution at the federal party conference.
CDU regional leader Mario Voigt did not want to commit himself to whether a government led by him would be tolerated by the Left. He initially announced that he wanted to approach the SPD and was also “open to discussion” about the BSW. CDU politicians in particular are bothered by the fact that Wagenknecht was a member of the GDR state party SED and later a leading figure in the communist platform in the Left. A coalition would be possible, however, because according to an incompatibility resolution, the CDU is not allowed to form a coalition with either the AfD or the Left – but the BSW is not covered by this.
Previous black-green-red alliance in Saxony without majority
In Saxony, it is not nearly enough for a new edition of the CDU-led government with the Greens and SPD of Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer. Unlike in Thuringia, an alliance of the CDU, BSW and SPD would have a majority. Kretschmer said that his CDU was ready to take on responsibility again and form a stable government.
None of the other parties want to form a coalition with the AfD, which is also classified as definitely right-wing extremist in Saxony.
The result in Thuringia
According to the preliminary results, for the first time in post-war history, the AfD, a party classified as right-wing extremist, became the strongest force in a state election in Thuringia – with 32.8 percent (2019: 23.4 percent). The CDU with top candidate Mario Voigt landed at 23.6 percent (21.7).
The new coalition of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) achieved 15.8 percent straight away – and thus overtook Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow’s Left Party, which only achieved 13.1 percent (31.0). The traffic light parties recorded heavy losses: the SPD recorded its worst result in a state election since the founding of the Federal Republic with 6.1 percent (8.2). The Greens were eliminated from parliament with 3.2 percent (5.2), as did the FDP with 1.1 percent (5.0).
The AfD will therefore receive 32 seats in the Thuringian state parliament (22). The CDU will have 23 seats (21), the BSW 15. The Left Party will have 12 seats (29). The SPD will have 6 representatives (8).
Around 1.66 million people were called to vote. Voter turnout was 73.6 percent, significantly higher than in 2019 – then it was 64.9 percent.
The result in Saxony
In Saxony, the CDU is the leading party with 31.9 percent (2019: 32.1 percent) according to preliminary results. The AfD is just behind with 30.6 percent (27.5). The BSW, a split from the Left, achieved 11.8 percent from the start. The SPD is at 7.3 percent (7.7). The Left achieved 4.5 percent – less than half the share of the vote from five years ago (10.4). However, it won two direct mandates in Leipzig and is therefore represented in the state parliament according to its second vote result, although it is below the five percent hurdle.
The Greens are once again entering parliament with 5.1 percent (8.6). The FDP fails to enter – as it did in the last two state elections.
In the Saxon state parliament, the AfD will receive 41 seats (38), the CDU 42 seats (45). The BSW will have 15 representatives. The SPD will receive 9 seats (10), the Greens will have 6 seats (12), as will the Left (14). The Free Voters will also have one representative in parliament, who won a direct mandate.
Around 3.3 million citizens were called to vote. Voter turnout was 74.4 percent. In 2019, it was 66.5 percent.
Setback for the federal traffic light coalition
The results are a major setback for the traffic light coalition parties at the federal level. SPD leader Saskia Esken demanded that Chancellor Olaf Scholz make it clearer that the SPD is leading the government in Berlin. The FDP took aim at party vice-chair Wolfgang Kubicki, who wrote on Platform X that the traffic light coalition had lost its legitimacy. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour blamed “unnecessary disputes” in the traffic light coalition for the poor results. However, it is considered unlikely that one of the three parties will collapse prematurely, especially in view of the poor poll ratings at the federal level.
The CDU must answer the difficult question of whether and how there can be cooperation with the BSW and the Left Party. Party leader Friedrich Merz initially strictly rejected cooperation with the BSW. After protests from election campaigners in the east, Merz backed down and declared the question to be a matter for state politicians.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
