- The vote of the Socialist Group on the AfD legislation?
The Thuringian CDU's top candidate, Mario Voigt, has called on the Alliance for Progress and Socialism (APS) to comment on possible majorities for AfD laws. "That's a new quality. Frau Wagenknecht needs to explain herself in principle," the state party leader said after a TV round of top candidates. In the MDR show "Fakt ist!", the APS's top candidate for the September 1st state election, Katja Wolf, once again did not rule out possible support for AfD initiatives in parliament.
How does the APS stand on the AfD?
"I don't have a great fear that the AfD will bring in an enormous number of sensible legislative proposals," Wolf said on Thursday evening's show, citing her life experience. "But if that's the case, then we'll discuss it, and it's the power of the argument in the political arena."
The Alliance for Progress and Socialism (APS) only established its Thuringian state branch in March, but the party is very successful in the eastern federal states according to polls - in Thuringia, it's even on track for a neck-and-neck race with the CDU for second place in the state election. If Wolf ends up ahead of Voigt's CDU on election night, she could claim the position of Minister President. None of the parties with a chance of entering the state parliament want to form a coalition with the AfD led by Björn Höcke, making its power claims despite its top position in the polls unrealistic.
Different rules in a coalition
A few days ago, Wolf called for a new approach to the AfD in an interview with "Welt" and criticized the firewall that has only made the AfD stronger. If there are clear reasons to reject a motion, it should be rejected. "Or you have to stand up and say: It's sensible, we'll vote for it. We need more pragmatism and less ideology," she said.
Wolf later told the German Press Agency that it's important to focus on content rather than "bashing." However, she also made it clear that she understands the political rules of the game. "If you're in a coalition, then different rules apply to motions. That's logical," she said.
In the MDR, the politician made it clear that she sees the strength of the AfD as a "core problem in this country." A coalition with the party, which is considered right-wing extremist in Thuringia, is still out of the question for her.
The CDU rejects cooperation with the AfD. However, the Christian Democrats in Thuringia have accepted AfD votes for their own legislative proposals in the past, with several laws being passed with the help of Höcke's faction in the state parliament. At the same time, the CDU has always stressed that it would not support any AfD motions or AfD laws.
The Alliance for Progress and Socialism (APS) has not ruled out supporting some AfD initiatives in parliament, as Katja Wolf, their top candidate, stated in the MDR show. Despite the APS's success in Thuringia and potential to challenge the CDU for second place in the state election, none of the major parties want to form a coalition with the AfD.
