Saxony's Political Landscape: A New Coalition in the Making

In Saxony, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has initiated a member survey to decide on a coalition agreement with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for a minority government. Around 3,600 SPD members received links for online voting, while an additional 1,000 members can vote by mail until December 15. The SPD state board will announce the results on December 16, with the CDU set to make its decision at a state party conference on December 14.

The proposed coalition agreement includes the creation of a border police force, a mandatory preschool year, and a special fund for long-term investments. The agreement also plans to reduce the number of ministerial positions from eleven to ten and state secretary positions from fifteen to eleven. Following the state elections on September 1, initial talks between the CDU, SPD, and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) failed due to disagreements over peace policy and migration.

Minister-President Michael Kretschmer of the CDU aims to stand for re-election in the state parliament before Christmas. However, the planned black-red coalition lacks a majority, relying on support from other parties. Both the CDU and SPD intend to engage other factions through a consultative mechanism, explicitly excluding cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The CDU narrowly won the state election, defeating the AfD, which the state constitutional protection agency classifies as a confirmed right-wing extremist party. Saxony's parliament includes parties like the SPD, BSW, Left Party, Greens, and an independent Free Voter representative. The SPD board recommends accepting the coalition agreement, emphasizing responsibility for the future and excluding any collaboration with the AfD.