SPD partner under attack by BSW once more
BSW Shifts Focus: Advocacy Against Sanctions Against Russia and Support for Russian Oil Imports
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) affiliate in Brandenburg, the BSW, has announced a shift in focus for its economic policy, moving away from criticism of the SPD's economic policy towards advocacy against sanctions against Russia and support for Russian oil imports.
Stefan Roth, the BSW's economic policy spokesman in the state parliament fraction, has emphasized the need for increased pressure on federal politics to address the concerns of Brandenburg. He believes that sanctions against Russia are causing energy prices to skyrocket and are strangling the industry and household budgets of the state.
Roth has cited examples such as the PCK refinery in Schwedt, northeastern Brandenburg, ArcelorMittal, and Riva Steel in Hennigsdorf to support his argument. He advocates for Russian oil to flow again to the PCK refinery, which has been affected by the sanctions.
BSW state chairwoman, Benda, has also criticized the SPD for neglecting the interests of the state in economic policy and for lacking engagement. She has demanded that Germany should not approve the controversial trade deal between the EU and the US, which she believes threatens Brandenburg's industry and jobs. Benda has urged the state government to put more pressure on Berlin to take a firm stance against the trade deal.
However, it's important to note that the dispute within the SPD and BSW government coalition remains focused on the recognition of Israel's right to exist as a prerequisite for naturalization, and this is not directly related to the opposition to sanctions against Russia.
Regarding the EU-US trade deal, Roth has not commented, and the BSW/CDU in Brandenburg currently supports the deal as part of broader German and EU efforts to stabilize and deepen transatlantic trade ties, while expressing caution about the terms. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, CDU leader and Germany’s Chancellor, has emphasized Germany’s readiness to lead in future trade agreements with the US.
In terms of the CDU's stance on sanctions against Russia, while direct specific statements from the BSW/CDU in Brandenburg are not available, given the CDU’s general federal stance and Germany’s position within the EU, they broadly support EU sanction policies against Russia, which align with EU-wide measures aimed at responding to geopolitical tensions and protecting EU strategic interests. The focus on trade cooperation with the US and leadership role indicates a pragmatic approach balancing economic interests and geopolitical security.
This shift in focus by the BSW is a significant development in the political landscape of Brandenburg and could have far-reaching implications for the state's economic policy and relations with Russia.
- The Brandenburg-Schlesische Wählergemeinschaft (BSW) has shown an increasing interest in war-and-conflicts and politics, specifically advocating against sanctions against Russia and promoting Russian oil imports as part of their new economic policy.
- Under the leadership of Stefan Roth, the BSW has been vocal about the impact of sanctions against Russia on energy prices and industry, citing examples such as the PCK refinery and ArcelorMittal in Brandenburg.
- Despite their opposition to sanctions against Russia, the BSW and CDU in Brandenburg continue to support the EU-US trade deal, indicating a balancing act between economic interests and geopolitical security in their policies and general-news agendas.
