CDU Explores New Options for Federal Partnership as State Elections Approach

The CDU is currently in talks about potential partners for the upcoming state elections in East Germany, where coalition formation is proving to be difficult. Prior to the weekend, Daniel Günther, the Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, called for greater openness in collaboration with the Left Party. Karin Prien, CDU federal vice-president and Minister of Education in Schleswig-Holstein, suggested that working with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance (BSW) could be an option after the three East German state elections, depending on the individuals and political goals involved.

However, Prien maintained her opposition to cooperation with the Left Party and AfD. The CDU’s “incompatibility decision” still stands, ruling out any collaboration with these parties. While Prien did not rule out working with BSW at the state level, she indicated that collaboration at the federal level is currently unlikely. Günther emphasized that the CDU has differences with both the Left Party and AfD, but noted that the two parties cannot be equated.

Thuringia’s Prime Minister, Bodo Ramelow, was identified as a non-threat to democracy by Günther despite being from the Left Party. The CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann referred to the party’s decision in 2018 to reject coalitions or similar cooperation with both