Gatherings - Will the CDU collaborate with BSW? Merz distanced himself from Wagenknecht.
Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, has emphasized the ideological distinctions between his party and the Left Party (Die Linke) led by Sahra Wagenknecht, sparking a discussion about the power choices in the impending state elections. In an interview, Merz stated, "I see no common ground in politics with this faction if they ever become significant." He further added, "We will then have to see how things develop in terms of electoral outcomes." Wagenknecht responded to previous remarks by Merz with criticism. The CDU in Thuringia indicated a willingness to engage in discussions with the BSW.
State elections will be held in Thuringia, as well as in Saxony and Brandenburg, in September. Since the AfD was the strongest force in all three states in the previous election, a challenging government formation is anticipated. The BSW has achieved double-digit results in all three states in the European elections. If the party can repeat this in the fall, it might become a power player.
Merz was questioned on Monday night in ARD about whether he would think about collaborating or a coalition with the BSW to prevent AfD minister-presidents in the east. He replied, "That's straightforward; we've always said that. We don't partner with such right-wing and left-wing parties." Wagenknecht concurred with Merz's assessment of her political stance: "She is right-wing on some issues and left-wing on others."
Party founder Wagenknecht commented on Tuesday: "What Friedrich Merz mentions is political naivete and will only further weaken the CDU in the east." The BSW chairwoman also criticized Merz: "Olaf Scholz is the worst chancellor in the history of the Federal Republic, but Friedrich Merz would be - particularly with the Greens as coalition partners - no improvement." BSW General Secretary Christian Leye told the "World": "We're not desperately searching for a government coalition with the CDU." However, Merz also needs to acknowledge the political realities in Eastern Germany.
Merz said before a faction meeting in Berlin that he had stated, "We have no agreement on any political matters with this faction." Wagenknecht's stances on foreign and economic policy are "really totally incompatible with our positions." He noted that the BSW "clearly stands right-wing on some issues and left-wing on others."
Merz spoke about the contentious problems "from the perspective of federal politics," as he stated. "We won't have to deal with this any further. We'll handle it when there are different outcomes." Then he would, of course, also consult with the CDU state chairmen about any opposing viewpoints.
Thuringian CDU leader Mario Voigt, who aims to become Minister President in the fall and needs coalition partners for this, said: "Friedrich Merz has spoken for the federal level." In Thuringia, one should focus on the political shift and determine which specific issues resonate with the public. "Then we will engage in negotiations about how we can solve these issues together."
BSW state chairwoman Katja Wolf was lauded by Voigt in "Stern": "I have a rational conversation with Katja Wolf, whom I have always seen as a pragmatic municipal politician." Wolf and BSW co-chairman Steffen Schütz criticized: "Since Friedrich Merz hasn't fulfilled his pledge to significantly weaken the AfD thus far, he's now constructing another barrier." Thuringia doesn't need counsel from Berlin, but sensible and responsible policies.
Wagenknecht advocates for socio-economic positions that lean more to the left, such as higher pension payments, higher minimum wages, and redistribution. However, she brakes on climate protection and pushes for the restriction of migrant social benefits. In foreign policy, the BSW calls for an end to German military aid for Ukraine and negotiations with Russia.
It's uncertain whether Wagenknecht will form a coalition with the CDU. She has stated that what matters is that the BSW will "not continue as before." The CDU had ruled out coalitions or similar arrangements with the AfD and the Left Party in past party congress resolutions.
CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt remarked that a party like the BSW, which refers to Russia, President Putin, and communism, could not be a coalition partner for the Union. In general, he advises the Union to concentrate on its intrinsic strength in upcoming election campaigns.
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich remarked: "We are not seeking cooperation with Sahra Wagenknecht because Sahra Wagenknecht and her party have no connections to the democratic camp whatsoever." Regrettably, the BSW tends to prioritize division over the combination of various forces.
