Kretschmer in dispute with Wagenknecht

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the CDU in Saxony want to work together despite differing views on many issues. Party founder Wagenknecht assured constructive participation in the so-called consultation mechanism of the CDU-SPD minority government during a discussion with CDU head of government Michael Kretschmer. This is intended to guarantee that the coalition can push through projects even if it is ten votes short of a majority.

Kretschmer regretted that there were no coalition negotiations with the BSW after the state elections on September 1, 2024. The talks had already broken down during the exploratory phase due to conflicting ideas - in particular over a peace preamble in the potential coalition agreement.

It was a shame that it didn't work out, said Kretschmer. He doesn't quite understand it either, "but it wasn't for nothing." A lot of trust and a lot of common ground had been created during this time. They wanted to make a difference together for Saxony.

The discussion at the Penck Hotel in Dresden was organized by the "Sächsische Zeitung" and the "Leipziger Volkszeitung". Among other things, they discussed the relationship with Russia and the mood in society.

Wagenknecht not surprised by frustration among the population

Wagenknecht saw broken election promises as a major reason for frustration among the population. It really is a problem for democracy when it becomes more and more common for parties to say something before the election and then do the complete opposite. In a democracy, you have to make compromises. But if you rule out things before the election that you then do after the election, you shouldn't be surprised that the potential for frustration and anger among the people continues to grow.

Differences also became clear on the topic of war and peace. Kretschmer defended the planned rearmament of the Bundeswehr. Wagenknecht saw the danger of Germany getting into a war with Russia. However, she also sees Germany going down this path. "And I hope that we leave this path, because no tank, no drone will help us if we wage war with a nuclear power." Everything must be done to get out of this spiral of confrontation.