Amidst the disagreements: SPD and BSW contemplate a secure coalition
In the political landscape of Potsdam, the coalition between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Alliance for a Social Transformation (BSW) has proven to be a resilient partnership, despite facing numerous conflicts and criticisms.
Established as a state party only last year, many doubted the viability of this coalition. However, the partnership has managed to endure, largely due to pragmatic political cooperation.
Key areas of conflict include foreign and defense policies, particularly the issue of arms deliveries to Ukraine. While SPD supporters tend to favor continued shipments, albeit with a recent decline in support, BSW supporters are notably opposed to such deliveries.
Despite these political disagreements, the coalition has shown no signs of imminent collapse or breakdown. The stability of the coalition was demonstrated in the decision on the double budget for 2025/26, according to Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) of Brandenburg.
The coalition's deputy, Hornauf, has occasionally voted against the budget with the AfD and CDU, causing a two-vote majority in the Landtag to become effectively uncertain. However, the coalition's Deputy Minister President, Crumbach, has maintained that the coalition is very stable, attributing their strength to a calm and reasonable approach.
Crumbach also described the BSW as the "corrective" of the SPD, balancing each other out. This balance has allowed the coalition to manage tensions without major crisis, as seen in the SPD's more established positions sometimes contrasting with BSW's more radical or oppositional stances.
Controversies have also arisen on issues like migration, asylum policy, and radical conservative agendas. BSW state leader Friederike Benda has criticized the introduction of a declaration of recognition of Israel's right to exist during naturalization, stating it was not coordinated with her party.
Despite these internal debates, the coalition has maintained its focus on effective governance. According to Crumbach, the economy and people outside the country have noticed that the coalition works without conflict and effectively.
The coalition has a common goal of moving the country forward and making it better, as stated by Crumbach. This shared vision, combined with a pragmatic approach to political management, has enabled the SPD/BSW coalition in Potsdam to remain stable, despite the ideological differences and public criticisms that it faces.
As of mid-2025, no recent concrete data suggests destabilization of this coalition. If further details on specific conflict topics or criticisms from BSW or SPD members within this coalition are sought, they are aspects that impact internal debates but have not led to overt coalition instability publicly.
[1] Source: Various news articles and political analysis. [5] Source: Interviews with coalition members and political analysts.
- The policy-and-legislation debates within the coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Alliance for a Social Transformation (BSW) in Potsdam, particularly on issues such as foreign and defense policies, arms deliveries to Ukraine, migration, asylum policy, and radical conservative agendas, have raised varying viewpoints but have not led to a significant policy rift.
- Despite facing critiques and ideological differences, the stability of the SPD/BSW coalition is evident in the general news landscape, demonstrated by their effective governance and shared vision of moving the country forward, as acknowledged by coalition members and political analysts.
