Groovy Chats: Union's Tango with the Left Party, Flexing an Old Resolution
Union deliberates alliance with The Left Party
The solo dance of Union isn't solo indefinitely; they need a dance partner—the Left party—for another round of voting in the Bundestag. But let's face it, it ain't always pretty when they dance. The much-debated incompatibility resolution is back in the limelight. Thorsten Frei, the CDU's Chief of Staff, is ready to air out the old grudges with a fresh perspective.
On Tuesday morning, Chancellor wannabe Friedrich Merz's first round took a dive. Making a second round on the same day? Not as easy as pie. The Union needed a two-thirds majority—the ultimate juggling act. It needed swing partners: the AfD, strictly right-wing extremist, or the Left Party, with whom the CDU has an old incompatibility resolution against.
Yeah, you heard that right. The CDU has a thing against the Left—a resolution that danced into the limelight at a CDU party congress in 2018. But, Frei isn't close-minded. "We'll need to talk about it," he says, open to reconsidering the old resolution with a fresh pair of eyes.
However, removing the resolution with a snap of fingers just ain't whack, but it might be adjustable. "We're in a situation where we need to reconsider one or two questions," Frei said, expressing his hopes for a more pragmatic approach to the country's needs over party interests.
An Old Tune
On Tuesday evening, CDU's general secretary Carsten Linnemann proved to be the party's traditionalist, consolidating the beat of the incompatibility resolution. The CDU will stick to it, he said. Still, Linnemann showed flexibility in welcoming discussions on how the resolution might evolve during future party congresses.
The CDU's new parliamentary business manager, Steffen Bilger, confirmed that talks with the Left won't be about "substantive cooperation." The old resolution still stands, but there might be situations in the Bundestag where they need to huddle, like on knotty organizational issues.
Linken leader Ines Schwerdtner is pushing for closer cooperation with the Union in the future, hoping they'll chat beyond just the crisis. "Democratic parties should be able to talk to each other," she said. The Union stayed clear of talks with the AfD, following their own incompatibility resolution against the right-wing extremist party.
Historical Grooves
The CDU's incompatibility resolution against the Left evolved from an internal party policy in the early 2010s and was formalized in 2018. It bars the CDU from cooperating with the Left Party or the far-right AfD in any form, including joint motions or coalitions.
The resolution's continuation is likely to remain in place, with the new CDU leader reiterating their commitment to staying away from the Left Party or the AfD. However, periodic debates within the CDU over potential cooperation with other parties are possible, although not widely supported at the leadership level.
Future discussions around the CDU's incompatibility resolution could shift based on political pressures and electoral outcomes. Yet, any significant change would demand a change in core party policies, consequently facing resistance from the party leadership. Emerging political forces, such as the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, might potentially shape the political landscape, pushing for discussions about alliances or coalitions.
All in all, while the CDU's incompatibility resolution is a defining policy, future political changes could ignite internal discussions about its relevance and possible adjustments.
- The CDU's General Secretary, Carsten Linnemann, maintained the old incompatibility resolution during Tuesday evening's discussion, but indicated openness for potential evolution of the resolution at future party congresses.
- The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, acknowledging the undeniably vital need for policy-and-legislation in this area.
- Meanwhile, the CDU's new parliamentary business manager, Steffen Bilger, clarified that discussions with the Left won't be about substantive cooperation but might involve addressing organizational issues in the Bundestag.
- Despite the CDU's traditional stance against the Left, Linken leader Ines Schwerdtner expressed her hopes for a broader dialogue with the Union beyond crisis management, advocating for more interaction between democratic parties.
