In Thuringia, the CDU, BSW, and SPD formally initiate their participation in the initial voting process.
About four weeks following the state election, CDU, BSW, and SPD in Thuringia will engage in formal exploratory discussions on Monday. During this interaction, the heads of the three parties will examine the potential for a 'blackberry coalition'. These investigatory talks serve as a prelude to potential coalition negotiations. Thuringia's CDU leader, Mario Voigt, has already conducted initial talks with the leaders of the other two parties. Voigt's goal is to secure the position of Minister President, as the CDU has been in opposition in Thuringia for ten years.
In Thuringia, the AfD emerged as the most powerful party for the first time in German state elections. They surpassed the CDU, which believes it has the mandate to form the government. The BSW finished third, while the Left party of the incumbent Minister President Bodo Ramelow placed fourth. The SPD managed to secure a spot in the state parliament with a single-digit result, while the Greens and FDP did not make the cut.
Establishing a government in Thuringia is particularly difficult given the election results. A 'blackberry coalition' would only represent 44 out of 88 votes in the state parliament. To resolve the stalemate, at least one vote from the opposition is required. Demands from the Wagenknecht party to incorporate Thuringia's stance on the war in Ukraine into the negotiations are met with considerable uncertainty by the other two partners. Just before the start of the exploratory talks, the Thuringia SPD youth wing voiced opposition to the social democrats participating in the government.
Despite the CDU's belief in having the mandate to form the government, they will need to seek support from other parties due to the complex election results in Thuringia. During the formal exploratory discussions on Monday, The CDU, along with BSW and SPD, will assess the feasibility of a 'blackberry coalition', which, if formed, would rely on the support of an opposition party.
