Collaboration with BSW affirmed: CDU state associations' autonomy upheld by Merz
In the states of Thuringia and Saxony, elections for the state parliament are scheduled for September 1st, while voting in Brandenburg will occur on September 22nd. The prospect of collaborating with the BSW within the CDU has exposed internal rifts.
Mario Voigt, the CDU's top candidate in Thuringia, and Jan Redmann, the chair of CDU in Brandenburg, both seem amenable to partnering with the BSW. Initially, Merz declined a coalition with the Wagenknecht Alliance, which garnered backlash within the party. Merz later clarified that his opposition was solely at the federal level.
Regarding the internal party discussions, Merz told ZDF, "There's neither a dispute nor is the CDU chairman backing down." He admitted that he views many BSW positions as "extremely left-wing." Previously expressed sentiments describing parts of the alliance as right-wing were not reiterated by Merz. He merely asserted that the BSW mirrors the AfD's stance on issues like immigration.
"Policy decisions should be made at the state level, independent of these fundamental questions," Merz declared, ruling out federal-level cooperation.
As per current polls, the BSW trails behind both the AfD and CDU in Thuringia and Saxony, placing in third, and in Brandenburg, it falls behind the incumbent SPD, coming in fourth. As no party is keen on teaming up with the leading AfD, the BSW might find themselves part of the new state governments.
Read also:
- Despite Merz's stance against a coalition at the federal level with the Wagenknecht Alliance, CDU state associations in Thuringia and Brandenburg are considering collaboration with the BSW for potential state government participation.
- Voigt and Redmann, prominent figures within the CDU in Thuringia and Brandenburg respectively, have showed interest in partnering with the BSW, which could lead to a shift in the political landscape of these regions.
- The internal discord within the CDU, sparked by the prospect of collaborating with the BSW, has not deterred Merz, as he emphasized there's no dispute within the party.
- The CDU chairman dismissed the notion of federal-level cooperation with the BSW, stating that policy decisions should be made at the state level.
- With the state elections approaching in Brandenburg and Thuringia on September 22nd and September 1st respectively, the BSW, currently trailing behind the AfD and CDU, may find themselves playing a role in the newly formed state governments.
- As the prospect of AfD participating in the state government is not favorable for major parties, the BSW, being an alternative, could potentially fill the void.
- Although Merz has criticized some BSW positions as being on the extreme left, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the autonomy of CDU state associations.
- The potential cooperation between BSW and CDU state associations in state elections has brought forth a complex web of political alliances and tensions, as the major parties seek to navigate the electoral landscape in Thuringia and Brandenburg.
