CDU Urges Prompt Action in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Saxony-Anhalt: Rising Tensions within CDU Spark Coalition Concerns
Berlin - As the power struggle within the Saxony-Anhalt chapter of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) escalates, calls for federal intervention are intensifying, with opposition parties voicing concerns over the future stability of the coalition government.
Michael Kellner, the federal political business manager of the Greens, expressed his hope that the CDU in the federal government could help prevent the Saxony-Anhalt wing from drifting to the right, potentially endangering the Kenya coalition. He made these remarks to the "Handelsblatt" on Monday.
The Greens and Ministry President Reiner Haseloff, who have led the Kenya coalition for four years, are deeply concerned about the internal power struggle within the CDU. Kellner pointed out that it is not just about the additional 86 cents in broadcasting fees, but rather an attempt to harm the Ministry President and open the door for a minority government tolerated by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Sebastian Striegel, chairman of the Greens in Saxony-Anhalt, accused the state CDU of working towards a breakup of the black-red-green government coalition. He stated that the internal opponents within the CDU were using the vote on the state broadcasting treaty as a pretext to end the coalition, potentially leading the state into chaos.
The CDU's reluctance to compromise has been a recurring issue in negotiations, with agreements dissolving after a few hours. According to Striegel, even with the planned moderate increase, the additional 86 cents per month does not make up for the inflation rate. He advocated for the state parliament vote on the coalition agreement to be released, allowing citizens to know how each individual member of parliament decides on this matter.
CDU general secretary Paul Ziemiak accused the SPD and Greens of severe misconduct in dealing with the crisis within the Kenya coalition. In a guest article for the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," he pointed out that both parties had agreed to contribution stability but are now questioning this agreement. He warned that using the public broadcaster as a stage for transparent party-political attempts is dangerous and could play into the hands of the AfD.
Ziemiak also criticized the AfD as a party standing on the edge of our constitutional order and voiced concerns that cooperating with the AfD would be a betrayal of Christian democratic values. He urged the SPD and Greens to make state political decisions out of responsibility to continue the joint government in Saxony-Anhalt, describing the ongoing dispute as a test of responsibility and coalition stability.
The ongoing power struggle within the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt is closely tied to wider challenges the party faces across Germany, particularly in regions where the AfD is making gains. This internal conflict within the CDU arises from differing perspectives on how to handle the rise of the AfD and the party's ideological direction under Friedrich Merz's leadership. As the power struggle continues, the future stability of the black-red-green coalition remains uncertain.
Other parties urge the federal CDU to intervene in the Saxony-Anhalt power struggle, fearing a shift to the right could endanger the coalition stability, as expressed by Michael Kellner, Green's federal political business manager.
Policy-and-legislation and politics are at the forefront of the dispute in Saxony-Anhalt, with the Greens accusing the state CDU of using the broadcasting fee vote as a pretext to end the black-red-green coalition, potentially leading to general-news chaos.
