Brandenburg's New Coalition Faces Scrutiny

In Brandenburg, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) have formalized a coalition agreement, facing both internal and external criticism. SPD leader and Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke defended the partnership, recalling similar skepticism when the SPD allied with the Left in 2009, which proved successful. He expressed confidence in achieving stability through this new coalition.

BSW leader Robert Crumbach echoed Woidke's sentiments, highlighting a 'fair relationship' and shared problem analyses between the parties. Despite challenging negotiations, both sides concluded with optimism for the upcoming governance term. The coalition aims to secure a majority in the state parliament, with the SPD dismissing any alliance with the AfD.

Regional conferences in Potsdam and other cities are scheduled to discuss the coalition agreement before a final decision at the SPD's state party congress on December 6. If approved, Woidke's reinstatement is expected on December 11. This coalition marks the first SPD-BSW alliance in Germany, striving to address Brandenburg's challenges while preventing the AfD's influence in governance. The agreement outlines shared goals for the next five years, underscoring a commitment to collaborative leadership.