CDU Secures Majority Vote for Coalition Agreement with SPD in Hesse
The Hesse CDU pulled off a significant victory as their 133 delegates approved the coalition agreement with the SPD at their conference in Frankfurt by a landslide. With just one delegate opposing the agreement, it was clear that the CDU was committed to forming a government with their social democratic counterparts.
As per the current plan, the coalition agreement is set to be signed in Wiesbaden on December 18. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Hesse's political landscape, with the new state parliament scheduled to begin its duties on January 18.
Hesse's Minister President, Boris Rhein, was confident that the coalition agreement would bring much-needed unity and stability to the state. He emphasized the CDU's commitment to keeping their election promises, ensuring that the majority would be strengthened, and protecting minorities' rights despite the many crises the world is currently facing.
Rhein also highlighted the disappointment and fear that many citizens feel due to the failure of democracy to deliver on its promise of serving the majority. He emphasized the urgent need to restore citizens' trust in politics and democracy.
On the SPD side, leader Nancy Faeser praised the coalition agreement as a "community of responsibility." She acknowledged that the coalition was not a "marriage of love" but maintained that it was necessary to prevent any government vacuum. Faeser pointed out certain painful goals in refugee policy within the draft government program but stressed the importance of strengthening refugee integration efforts.
The CDU and SPD reached an agreement on a 184-page program for the years 2024 to 2029, slightly over two months after the state elections on October 8. The SPD received just 15.1% of the vote, trailing behind the CDU at 34.6%, resulting in eight ministries for the CDU and three for the SPD. The names of the future ministers will be announced early in 2024.
The coalition agreement includes provisions for enhancing the educational offer from daycare centers to university lecture halls, strengthening the multi-tier school system, and increasing the number of teachers and police officers. The CDU and SPD also aim to significantly limit irregular migration while simultaneously focusing on enhancing refugee integration.
While the enrichment data suggests that such coalition agreements often require compromise and shared governance, involving key portfolios like finance and foreign affairs, the exact specifics for Hesse remain to be seen. However, the approved coalition agreement points to a collaborative approach between the two parties, which could potentially lead to a stable and effective government for Hesse.
