Government - Hesse: Coalition agreement could be in place on December 18
According to Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU), the coalition negotiations between the CDU and SPD in Hesse are on the home straight. Details are currently still being fine-tuned and the potential alliance partners are expected to vote on the paper at party conferences on December 16. "And then I assume that we will be able to sign a coalition agreement on December 18. That is the goal, in any case," Rhein told the German Press Agency in Wiesbaden.
In the past decade, Hesse has been led by a black-green government. The CDU won the state elections on October 8th by a clear margin, after which it was able to choose comfortably between the Greens and the SPD as coalition partners. After exploratory talks, the CDU decided to no longer work together with the Greens but to seek a black-red government alliance. The new Hessian state parliament will be constituted on January 18.
Rhein told dpa that the coalition negotiations were "very constructive and exceptionally pleasant in terms of atmosphere". The broad process with around 200 participants in more than a dozen working groups had proved its worth. A conscious decision was made not to "withdraw somewhere with 10 or 20 people", but to rely on the suggestions of many responsible people in the party, including mayors and district councillors. "This has not become some wish-you-would-do program, but it really is the renaissance of realpolitik," said Rhein.
Limiting migration
Negotiations with the SPD as a possible junior partner in a new state government were conducted on an equal footing. "We didn't say we have almost 35 percent and you have a little more than 15 percent. And that is the balance of power, which must also be reflected politically," Rhein emphasized. "My life experience, my political experience shows that there is nothing worse than entering a coalition after having subjugated the partner before you." This kind of behavior always pays off.
With regard to the contents of the coalition agreement, Rhein referred to the key points paper that the CDU and SPD had presented after the exploratory talks. In it, the potential coalition partners commit to limiting migration, for example, as well as to more jobs for the police and financial support for the first owner-occupied home. In addition, a separate ministry for agriculture and forestry as well as viticulture, hunting and homeland is to be created.
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- The CDU and SPD are currently engaging in coalition negotiations in Hesse, with Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) stating that they are nearing the finish line.
- These negotiations aim to form a coalition government for Hesse, following the state election held on October 8th, which was won by the CDU.
- The potential coalition agreement could be signed on December 18, as per Rhein's expectations, after the details are finalized and the parties vote on the paper.
- In the past, Hesse had a black-green government, but this time, the CDU opted to form a black-red coalition with the SPD after exploratory talks with the Greens were unsuccessful.
- The coalition negotiations with the SPD have been described as constructive and pleasant by Boris Rhein, with a broad participation from various party members.
- The coalition agreement, if successful, would include commitments to limiting migration, creating more police jobs, and providing financial support for first-time homeowners.
- The Hesse state parliament is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 18, following the completion of coalition negotiations and the signing of the coalition agreement.
Source: www.stern.de
