resistance within the CDU towards collaborating with BSW at a national scale
Resistance towards a potential collaborative endeavor between CDU and BSW in several eastern German regions after the state polls is intensifying within CDU. CDU MEP Dennis Radtke told Berlin's "Tagesspiegel" that partnering with BSW would be harmful for CDU. He also cautioned against forming a government in a state linked with "the Stalinist faction party BSW," stating it's beyond comprehension and damages CDU nationwide.
"The CDU holds responsibility for Germany and Europe," Radtke went on. "We cannot collaborate or form an alliance with Putin's associates," he added, alluding to BSW chairperson Sahra Wagenknecht and her political allies' proximity to Russia's leadership led by President Vladimir Putin. Among other things, Wagenknecht advocates ceasing aid for Ukraine against Russian aggression against the nation.
"A significant portion of Germans vote for the CDU due to our stance on Western integration, defense forces, NATO, and the European Union," Radtke said. "Do we really want to estrange these individuals?" he questioned. He also questioned the necessity of such actions due to complicated coalition-building situations in Thuringia and Saxony after their respective state elections in September: "I fail to see the logic in CDU joining forces with BSW to build a coalition slightly less daunting than BSW and AfD."
Radtke also opposed the argument that Wagenknecht and her allies' intentions remain unclear. "BSW is not an enigma", he pointed out. "Inside the box, you'll find Wagenknecht and Putin. That's all the details I require." Furthermore, he asserted, BSW, like AfD, aims to transform Germany into "a different nation," which contradicts CDU goals.
Notably, various politicians have shown interest in a CDU-BSW collaboration, including Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and Thuringia's CDU leader Mario Voigt. Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and the state's CDU leader Jan Redmann have left the door open to governing in conjunction with BSW. Elections in Brandenburg are scheduled for September 22.
"Given Radtke's statements, it's unlikely that the CDU will consider collaborating with BSW in light of its chairperson's ties to Russia and its stance on issues like aid for Ukraine. This could potentially strain the party's relationship with its supporters who favor Western integration and EU membership."
"Radtke's stance against partnering with BSW seems to be influenced by BSW's goals of transforming Germany into a different nation, which contrasts with the CDU's objectives. This belief is further reinforced by his assertion that BSW, like AfD, can be easily categorized and has close ties with Russia's leadership."
