SPD wants to fight for majorities without AfD

Eastern elections - SPD wants to fight for majorities without AfD

The SPD will fight for majorities without the AfD in the upcoming elections in the three eastern German states, despite poor survey results. The SPD will "put even more presence, even more engagement into the election campaigns in the eastern state associations," announced parliamentary floor leader Katja Mast on Tuesday at the end of a two-day summer tour in Cottbus. This was agreed upon during a SPD presidium meeting on Sunday.

The SPD will "do everything to ensure democratic majorities," said Mast. Two and a half months before the Thuringia state election, the SPD is at seven percent. The strongest force is the AfD with 28 percent, followed by the CDU with 23 percent and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) with 21 percent. The Linke, led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow, is only at 11 percent. A three-party coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD is mathematically possible.

SPD and BSW?

In response to the question of whether the SPD would be open to such a coalition, Mast replied: "This question does not apply at the moment." Surveys are snapshots. "And that's why we'll do everything to make these numbers shift." Mast: "Of course, there's also a task there to still do a lot in the campaign."

Mast also made it clear that "these numbers in Thuringia irritate me, that an engaged Minister President like Bodo Ramelow currently has worse survey results than BSW." Mast: "But that can also change by the election day. Elections are decided on the last stretch and not today."

Elections will take place in September in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia. According to the latest survey, the SPD comes in at six percent in Saxony and with the popular Minister President Dietmar Woidke at the forefront of the campaign in Brandenburg at 19 percent. The numbers in Brandenburg are also a merit of the state government, said Mast.

1. The SPD, despite poor survey results, will aim for majorities without the AfD in the upcoming state elections in Cottbus, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.
2. Katja Mast, the SPD's parliamentary floor leader, announced that the party will invest more presence and engagement into the election campaigns in the eastern state associations.
3. During an SPD presidium meeting on Sunday, it was agreed to put more effort into the election campaigns to ensure democratic majorities.
4. In Thuringia, the SPD is currently at seven percent, while the strongest force is the AfD with 28 percent, the CDU follows with 23 percent, and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) has 21 percent.
5. The Linke, led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow, is at 11 percent, and a three-party coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD is mathematically possible in Thuringia.
6. When asked about the possibility of a coalition with BSW, Mast replied that it does not apply at the moment.
7. Mast pointed out that the numbers in Thuringia are irritating, especially since an engaged Minister President like Bodo Ramelow has worse survey results than BSW.
8. The elections will take place in Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia in September. According to the latest survey, the SPD is at six percent in Saxony, while with popular Minister President Dietmar Woidke leading the campaign, they are at 19 percent in Brandenburg.

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