Thuringia's Coalition Seeks Support from the Left

In Thuringia, as the election for the Minister President approaches, the coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD, known as the Brombeer Coalition, is reaching out to the Left Party for support. The coalition, lacking a single vote to secure a majority in the state parliament, has proposed involving the Left Party as a 'constructive opposition.' This gesture aims to foster cooperation on significant issues like the budget deliberations.

The coalition's proposal includes a '3plus1' format, which involves monthly meetings with the four parliamentary leaders to discuss government initiatives. In return, they seek the Left's backing for the election of CDU state leader Mario Voigt as the new Minister President. The coalition needs an absolute majority in the first two voting rounds, which could become problematic without external support.

The Left Party, however, demands a written agreement to ensure collaboration, a request the CDU has so far resisted. Meanwhile, the involvement of the AfD, identified as a right-wing extremist by the state's constitutional protection agency, remains contentious. The coalition wants to avoid relying on AfD votes, which could inadvertently help elect Voigt.

The coalition agreement, set to be signed, outlines a consultative mechanism to engage parliament members early in legislative initiatives. This mechanism excludes any collaboration with the AfD, despite previous stability pacts with the CDU during the outgoing red-red-green minority government led by Bodo Ramelow.

As the coalition prepares to sign their agreement, with designated roles across various ministries, the outcome of Voigt's election and the Left's response remain pivotal to the stability of the new government.