The Saxon state legislature boasts a massive agenda.

Lawmakers are currently debating a proposed bill. - The Saxon state legislature boasts a massive agenda.

During the final meetings prior to the summer vacation, the Saxonian Parliament is anticipated to tackle a tremendous list. The scheduled session for Wednesday is expected to last 17 hours, extending into the pre-dawn hours of the following morning. On Thursday, the meeting is thought to conclude after ten hours. If all the agenda's items have not been completed by then, the legislators will be required to return on Friday. The backdrop is approximately two dozen laws that the parliament still needs to address. Criticism of the planned sessions was voiced by participants on Tuesday. Green faction leader Franziska Schubert considered it less than optimal, saying, "I personally struggle to sit until two in the morning." She also noted a drop in focus and attention.

During the Wednesday session, Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) will make a government statement. Earlier on Tuesday, the parties provided a rapid summary of the legislative period. According to Soren Voigt, Parliamentary Manager of the CDU, the last few years have been marked by crises, including the Coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The coalition with the Greens and the SPD is taken very seriously by the CDU. Many accomplishments have been made, especially in education and science, they claim.

AfD followers were skeptical about the ruling coalition and spoke of "five wasted years." Wealth has been lost, businesses have left the country, and there has been no progress in direct democracy. The CDU cannot be too happy with their performance. The AfD was able to make an impact and effectively monitor the government. "With our modest demands, numerous issues were uncovered," remarked party leader Jorg Urban. This can be seen in the polls.

Left faction leader Rico Gebhardt thought it was a positive that the coalition composed of CDU, Greens, and SPD had persisted for five years - with plenty of criticisms and skirmishes. "This government managed to navigate through various crises, which it was not directly responsible for." Initially, much was discussed about progress, but the parliament's role during the pandemic did not improve. The failure to change the constitution was a missed opportunity. By the looks of it, the coalition can expect to face a more blockade approach in the upcoming term.

Greens member Schubert intends to engage in the debate around the government report, focusing on what the coalition has not achieved - for instance, the constitutional amendment with a change to the debt limit. Nevertheless, the coalition has dealt with crises. "Presenting what was achieved together with the corresponding viewpoints could be better than once more engaging in hostility," she suggested. The many laws to be passed through the parliament could have been agreed upon sooner. "I hope this is a learning experience for all participants."

Sabine Friedel, SPD's Parliamentary Leader, highlighted state parliament achievements such as the introduction of the comprehensive school, the dual university, and the education voucher. The coalition has not underperformed when compared to its previous incarnation - the alliance of CDU and SPD. "It's undoubtedly more challenging to work with three partners rather than two," she said. "The failure to reform the debt limit is a painful experience for my party, and its effects are already evident today."

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1. Despite voicing criticism on Tuesday, Green faction leader Franziska Schubert acknowledges the need for Michael Kretschmer (CDU) to deliver a government statement during the Wednesday session.
2. The CDU, in cooperation with the Greens and SPD, has managed to address crises such as the Coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Saxony.
3. AfD party leader Jorg Urban expressed skepticism towards the ruling coalition, claiming that the CDU's performance has not been satisfactory and progress in direct democracy has been unattained.
4. Roland Voigt, Parliamentary Manager of the CDU, highlighted accomplishments in education and science, positioning the coalition's work positively amidst various crises.
5. During the ongoing parliamentary debates, Ricardo Gebhardt, left faction leader, commended the CDU-led coalition for navigating multiple crises and minimizing direct blame.
6. Sabine Friedel, SPD's Parliamentary Leader, praised the coalition's achievements, such as the introduction of the comprehensive school and the dual university, noting that while it has been challenging with three partners, progress has been made compared to the previous CDU-SPD era.

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