CDU could announce possible coalition partner on Friday
Continue with the Greens or sit on the government bench with the SPD in future? Almost five weeks after the state elections, the Hessian CDU could announce its eagerly awaited choice of coalition partner in Wiesbaden this Friday (10.11.). This was the status of the election winner's plans on Wednesday (8.11.) according to information from the German Press Agency. Further detailed exploratory talks between the CDU, the Greens and the SPD behind closed doors were planned for this week. "We are going through every point", according to the party.
The Berlin federal-state summit on Monday and early Tuesday morning, with Hesse as the chair of the Conference of Minister Presidents, interrupted the coalition talks in Wiesbaden. Prior to this, Hesse's CDU leader and Minister President Boris Rhein had spoken of "atmospherically positive and constructive" exploratory talks in a strictly confidential setting.
As the clear winner of the election, the CDU in Hesse can choose whether to forge a coalition government with the Greens or with the SPD, which has so far been in opposition. The FDP, which only just made it back into the Wiesbaden state parliament, would not be mathematically necessary for this. The CDU does not want to sound out the right-wing populist AfD, which has grown significantly stronger.
According to dpa information, there are voices within the CDU in favor of both a continuation of the black-green coalition and a new black-red coalition. The CDU and Greens have governed together quite quietly for around a decade, creating a basis of trust. With the SPD, on the other hand, there could be more overlap in some areas. However, in the former red stronghold of Hesse, the Social Democrats are now considered by some to be somewhat exhausted in terms of personnel following their historic losses in the state elections on October 8.
According to the Greens, they would have to decide on a new coalition agreement with the CDU in a ballot. They would call on their almost 10,000 members in Hesse to do so. According to its own information, the SPD has reserved December 16 for a party conference in the event of an agreement with the CDU, at which around 400 delegates could decide on a coalition agreement. The new 21st Hessian state parliament will be constituted on January 18, 2024, before which another plenary week of the current parliament is planned in December.
The CDU's decision to continue the black-green coalition or form a black-red one with the SPD will be revealed on Friday. Regardless of the chosen partner, the Hessian Parliament will have new coalitions to consider, as the role of parties like the SPD and Greens will significantly impact future legislative agendas.
Source: www.dpa.com
