The CDU and SPD Continue Budget Negotiations with the Greens and the Left Party

Saxony’s minority coalition of the CDU and SPD is negotiating with the Greens and the Left Party on the 2027/2028 two-year budget. CDU parliamentary group leader Christian Hartmann said an agreement had been reached with the two parliamentary groups to hold further talks. The goal is to reach a budget resolution by the end of December.

Now, the focus is on openly examining all proposals from the Left Party and the Greens, as well as their own, added SPD parliamentary group leader Henning Homann. He viewed the agreement as a sign of a functioning minority government. “We are capable of taking action. We have a plan for this state,” said the Social Democrat.

The Greens and The Left had already supported the last budget

The Greens and The Left had already served as kingmakers during the previous two-year budget. The CDU and SPD are ten votes short of a majority on their own. Since the AfD does not participate in the consultation mechanism and is also excluded as a partner, only the BSW (15 seats), the Greens (7), and the Left Party (6) were eligible to form a majority.

Rejection of the BSW

Discussions on the budget with the BSW also took place in a constructive atmosphere, Hartmann said. However, he described the BSW’s demands regarding the intergenerational fund for securing civil servant pensions and the Saxon Development Bank as untenable. “That is why we also sent the BSW a rejection today regarding further budget negotiations.”

Changes Totaling 300 Million Agreed Upon

The agreement with the Greens and the Left Party provides for changes totaling 300 million euros compared to the government’s draft. This amounts to less than one percent of the planned total budget of approximately 53.5 billion euros. 

The additional funds are to come from the expected fiscal leeway resulting from the fall tax estimate, which is expected to be published on Tuesday. Where the money will be allocated is part of the negotiations among the four parliamentary groups. The focus could be on social and cultural programs. The first round of talks is scheduled for Wednesday.