Formation of government: “Peaceful treaty”: Thuringian coalition agrees

After tough negotiations over peace policy demands from BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht, Thuringia is heading towards Germany’s first blackberry coalition consisting of the CDU, BSW and SPD. Almost three months after the state elections, the party leaders in Erfurt presented their coalition agreement. They found a compromise on the long-disputed topics of peace and medium-range missiles: the preamble to the government program was not changed, but additions were made to the text of the treaty.

In Saxony, negotiations between the CDU and SPD with the BSW had broken down; in Brandenburg, a coalition between the SPD and BSW is being sought. In Thuringia, committees and members of the three parties still have to approve the contract.

Foundation laid for the first blackberry government

CDU leader Mario Voigt, who is expected to run in the prime ministerial election in December, called the coalition agreement the “foundation for a new, effective government” that wants to make life better for the people in Thuringia. The negotiations were characterized by friendliness and pragmatism. It was a “very particularly peaceful treaty,” said Voigt.

“We were not created for each other, but we have a responsibility to reach out to each other,” said SPD leader Georg Maier. The result is good, so he is confident about the SPD member survey, which starts next week. “Thuringia needs a new start,” said BSW chairwoman Katja Wolf. Their co-chairman Steffen Schütz remarked to the three coalition members: “We are made for each other, we will prove it.”

Regarding Wagenknecht’s role in the negotiations, which were at times on the rocks, Wolf said: “Yes, we struggled with each other at one point or another.” When it came to the issue of peace, the BSW was “about the nitty-gritty.” That’s why she understands that this is an important point for Wagenknecht. She can imagine that the BSW founder – if she can arrange it in time – will come to the party conference on December 7th, when the Thuringian members vote on the coalition agreement. There is actually no need to invite them to this historic moment, says Wolf.

Wagenknecht: Two government participations possible

Wagenknecht had already made positive comments about the Thuringian coalition agreement in the past few days – she had harshly criticized the previous exploratory paper. “The criticism and pressure from the party have helped to anchor the signature of the BSW much more firmly in Thuringia and also to push through clearer positions on peace policy, such as criticism of the US missile plans,” Wagenknecht told the dpa. “As of now, we will be participating in two state governments, which is unprecedented for a party that hasn’t existed yet.”

New passage on peace policy

The chapter on European policy states that it is recognized that many people see the stationing of medium-range missiles “as a fundamental change in the strategic and military situation in Europe and also in Germany.” “We are critical of stationing and its use without German participation,” the paper now says. Thuringia’s SPD leader Georg Maier said the sentence describes the current legal situation. When it came to formulating medium-range missiles, “In my opinion, we have achieved a great success,” said Wolf.

Voigt said that the sovereignty of a state must require “that a parliament of a government is involved when something happens on its own territory.” “We have known this principle since nuclear sharing, we know this principle in the case law of the highest courts,” he said.

State house authority should come

The Blackberry Coalition wants to achieve a change of direction in migration policy, among other things. “We will accept fewer asylum seekers and we will not distribute rejected asylum seekers to the municipalities,” said Voigt. In the 126-page paper, the three parties announced a state immigration authority that would bundle admission, recognition of professional qualifications, integration and deportations. “Anyone who does not have a reason for protection, deceives about their identity or does not follow the rules, especially commits crimes, must leave our country again,” it says.

There should be no change in the number of ministers in Thuringia – there would remain nine. It is planned that the SPD, as the smallest partner, will provide two ministers should the first blackberry coalition come about. According to the information, the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance, which was only founded this year, will provide three ministers. The CDU, as the strongest partner, will receive four ministerial posts in addition to the Prime Minister, including probably the Minister in the State Chancellery. It is possible that the layout of individual ministries will be changed. The personal details have not yet been decided.

Difficult majority situation in the state parliament

If their committees agree, the three parties will have to govern under difficult conditions. They have 44 of 88 seats in the Thuringian state parliament. A blackberry coalition named after the party colors would therefore be dependent on at least one vote from the opposition – i.e. from the Left or AfD – when making decisions. When finding a majority, the CDU, BSW and SPD want to rely on a consultation process in which they inform the other factions about key points and obtain their positions before introducing laws or initiatives. SPD leader Maier believes that talks with the Left are necessary in order to achieve majorities. “We have to keep the AfD away from power,” he said. He reiterated that with the SPD there would be no changing majorities with the AfD in decisions.