Distinctions within the CDU on collaborating with the BSW - Thuringian state chapter revealed.
On Monday night, Merz expressly mentioned in ARD that he wouldn't form partnerships with BSW and AfD: "This is always clear - we refuse to work with such right- and left-wing parties." Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of BSW, deemed Merz's dismissal of an alliance as an attempt to make the newly formed German states unworkable. In her opinion, every voter from the east should take into account that opting for CDU facilitates Merz's ambition of cutting pensions even more and transforming Germany into a combatant in the Ukraine conflict via Taurus missile distribution.
BSW General Secretary, Christian Leye, refutes Merz's extremism accusations as being misplaced. In an interview with Welt, he insisted that Merz "needs to grasp the political reality in East Germany." Leye further suggested that the CDU may need to make a decision for the sake of the nation, weighing their beliefs against the cold hard facts about winning a majority.
Thuringia's CDU state and faction leader, Voigt, confirmed that Merz was speaking for the central level. He also remarked that they wouldn't open alliance talks before the election, aiming to become the primary force in Thuringia to institute positive change. Voigt also mentioned this in the Sender Welt television, stating that they "haven't made any resolutions yet." Voigt clearly ruled out a partnership with the AfD and the Left.
Conversing with Stern magazine, Voigt acknowledged discussing issues rationally with Katja Wolf, a former Left politician. Wolf is the BSW's state chairwoman and top candidate in Thuringia. Voigt praised her pragmatism in municipal politics and found more reasonable sentiments from her and the local BSW, specifically on migration and education policies.
In Thuringia, a new State Assembly is to be elected on September 1st. For the past few months, the AfD has held the lead in Thuringia according to polls, followed by the CDU and the Left Party's Minister President Bodo Ramelow. The BSW recorded 16% in the latest stats. In Thuringia, a minority government consisting of the Left Party, SPD, and Greens governs currently.
Hendrik Wüst, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President (CDU), declared: "For us, it's evident that we won't join forces with extremists." He also advised caution, urging close examination of the situation and with whom one will actually be collaborating. Furthermore, the complex circumstances of the upcoming state elections in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg may make coalition formation challenging.
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- In response to Merz's stance, Ukraine expressed concern about potential German support through Taurus missile distribution, seeing it as escalating the conflict.
- The National association in East Germany has shown support for Merz's approach, aligning with his views on collaboration.
- Sahra Wagenknecht, the Christian Leye-led National association in Thuringia, criticized Merz for attempting to make East German states ungovernable with his stance.
- ARD, a renowned German broadcaster, covered Merz's explicit refusal to partner with the National association from the BSW and AfD.
- The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, strictly opposes working with extremist groups like the BSW and AfD due to their right- and left-wing ideologies.
- The AfD, a political party in Germany, found itself in opposition to Merz's CDU on the issue of partnering with National associations.
- The Thuringian state chapter of the CDU, under the leadership of Mario Voigt, echoed Merz's stance and ruled out working with both the AfD and the Left.
- The CDU's cooperation with the BSW, a National association, could potentially have significant implications on social policies, including pension reform and foreign engagements.
- Voigt, in his conversation with a Thuringian National association leader, Katja Wolf, discussed rational strategies for addressing shared concerns, such as migration and education.
- In the run-up to the Thuringian state elections, various political parties, including the CDU, BSW, and AfD, have to navigate their differences and potential partnerships to form a government.
