The CDU political figure contests the 'illogical' nature of the compatibility decision.
For years, the Christian Democrats have maintained a stance against collaborating with either the AfD or the Left Party. Post-election outcomes in Saxony and Thuringia, two party members are now doubting this exclusion. Former CDU General Secretary Czaja even labels it "illogical".
Following the Thuringia state election, previous CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja urged his party to reconsider the incompatibility resolution with the Left Party. "It's illogical that such a resolution exists and we refuse to collaborate with the pragmatic Left," Czaja expressed to the German editorial network (RND). "The reality is that the Left in Eastern Germany largely embodies conservative Eastern German social democracy," the federal MP stated. "The CDU has unwisely confined itself in its flawed application of the hammer theory. We must break free from this."
Czaja, hailing from Eastern Germany, warned against equating the Left Party with the AfD, as it diminishes the latter's "disregard for humanity and ideology." "Beyond it lies a party that is scrutinized by the Verfassungsschutz across the board, from Thuringia," the CDU politician cautioned. "Comparing that to a Left Party under Bodo Ramelow, who was President of the Bundesrat, is impractical. Bodo Ramelow never posed a threat to democracy. Bjørn Höcke does," Czaja added.
Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer also voiced opposition to party ideologies. "We're addressing issues, not ideologies," the CDU politician said on the election's aftermath in Deutschlandfunk. He also considers a coalition with the SPD and the BSW feasible. "We're not allying with Frau Wagenknecht, but with individuals elected to the Saxon state parliament," Kretschmer said. It won't be easy and will take time, but it's possible, he added.
The CDU enacted an incompatibility resolution for collaboration with the AfD and the Left. However, this does not formally apply to the BSW, only recently formed in January of this year. Majority of the BSW's founding members were previous Left Party members, with Sahra Wagenknecht having publically represented the party's communist platform for nearly 20 years.
Voigt demonstrates openness
"My goal is to serve this country, to provide this country with a stable government," he emphasized. However, the journey to achieving this won't be straightforward and may entail extended negotiations with potential coalition partners, the CDU politician underscored. For now, it's about "taking a breather" and celebrating the prospect of a stable government in Saxony, Kretschmer remarked. The CDU is yet to engage in coalition talks. When the time is right, their "values compass" will be placed on the table, and discussions will ensue, he concluded.
Regarding the AfD, Kretschmer suggested avoiding the term "firewall" as the party uses it for itself. "The AfD excels at presenting itself as a martyr," the Minister President stated. This resonates with a segment of the electorate. Such terminology is not beneficial, Kretschmer added. The AfD is "an opposition party like any other, with all rights and obligations," Kretschmer stated.
Mario Voigt, the CDU's top candidate in Thuringia, no longer outright rejects cooperation with the Left Party post-election outcomes. He told Bild newspaper, in response to being asked: "We will await the official final result and then discuss it in upcoming meetings." Previously, the Left Party in Thuringia had hinted at supporting a CDU minority government.
In light of the shift in sentiment within the CDU, former General Secretary Mario Czaja argued that the party's incompatibility resolution with the Left Party in Eastern Germany is "illogical" and impedes potential collaboration with pragmatic Left members. Following the Thuringia state election, CDU politician Mario Voigt has indicated an openness to discussing cooperation with the Left Party after waiting for the official election results.
