- Mayer leaves open the possibility of the SPD moving into an opposition role.
The Thuringian SPD, as per its state leader, isn't ruling out becoming the opposition following the state vote. "As Social Democrats, we need to uphold our values," stated Georg Maier after an SPD state executive meeting in Erfurt. If joining the government seems implausible, then becoming the opposition for the long-term ruling party becomes a possibility.
The Social Democrats just barely scraped past the 5% threshold with 6.1% in the state vote. The political layout in the new state parliament is intricate. The previously proposed coalition between the CDU, the alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht and the SPD (totaling 44 seats), lacking the necessary 45-seat majority in the 88-seat state parliament, fails to gain traction.
Maier has already received an SMS from the CDU state chairman, Mario Voigt, extending an invitation for a discussion. However, this won't be a preliminary chat. "That's too soon," stated Maier. This will be a conversation at the state chairman level. He wants to know the CDU's plans, added Maier. "And whether the SPD is needed for this is another matter. We're not pushing ourselves forward." Previously, the CDU state executive had greenlit initial talks with the SPD and BSW.
The SPD also plans to converse with other democratic parties about the election of the state parliament president. The reason behind this is that the AfD, as the strongest faction, has the right to propose the office.
Despite the failed coalition proposal with the CDU and the alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht, the SPD still receives an invitation for discussions from the CDU's state chairman, Mario Voigt. The potential opposition party, The CDU, seeks to outline their plans to the SPD, but Maier makes it clear that the SPD is not pushing for a role in these plans.
