Political gatherings or social events, typically involving drinking and dancing. - Eastern Alliance: Merz highlights separation from Wagenknecht
Friedrich Merz, a leader in the CDU party, has expressed his disapproval for a potential partnership between his group and Sahra Wagenknecht's Left-wing alliance (BSW). When questioned if he'd contemplate teaming up or collaborating with the BSW to counter AfD minister-presidents in the east, Merz told ARD "Brennpunkt," "We've always been explicit about that. We don't team up with right-wing and left-wing parties."
He further noted, "For Ms. Wagenknecht, it's the same story: she's right-wing on some matters, and left-wing on others." Merz made clear the CDU's objective: "Our goal is to gain majorities."
During the upcoming September state elections in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia, the AfD established itself as the most powerful group in the east. This could complicate the formation of majorities. Since the BSW, founded just this year, garners considerable support in eastern Germany, they may become influential.
A cooperation or collaboration with the AfD or the Left is not an option. The CDU had previously banned these coalitions or similar agreements by its own party resolution. There's no defined stance with regards to the BSW at present. The BSW obtained 6.2% of the votes in the European elections, a significant feat for them.
Roughly a month ago, Merz dismissed the idea of working together with the BSW in the east on ZDF, stating, "We don't carry out coalition talks, either within the party or publicly, but we campaign for the CDU. We don't talk about coalitions prior to the election dates."
In May, Karin Prien, deputy leader of the CDU, didn't exclude the possibility of partnering with the BSW in eastern Germany. At that time, Prien, who doubled as Minister of Education in Schleswig-Holstein, commented, "We'll have to see who's representing the BSW at the state level, and what political targets their election programs entail. Then we can determine if there's potential for a local cooperation with the BSW."
