Saxony’s Premier Focuses on Collaboration with Opposition
Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has emphasized the importance of cooperation with the opposition in his government’s work. "We have more in common than what divides us," he stated in his first government declaration of the new electoral period, expressing gratitude for the willingness of most parliamentary groups to actively participate in consultations with the CDU-SPD minority government. The government lacks ten votes to secure a majority in parliament.
The Left, the Greens, and Sahra Wagenknecht’s Alliance (BSW) plan to participate in the planned consultation mechanism, while the AfD rejects the process. A vote on the mechanism is scheduled for the afternoon in the state parliament. According to Kretschmer, the process will not be a "one-way street." Opposition parties will also have the opportunity to submit their own legislative proposals and motions.
Simultaneously, Kretschmer warned Saxony of challenging times ahead. "We will have significantly fewer financial resources than before – approximately two billion euros less per year," he explained. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the most important matters for the state. "Funding is scarce, and we can only distribute limited amounts. However, there is no reason for despair."
"Germany is facing a serious economic crisis, not a mere lull. We cannot solely resolve these two billion euro issues in Saxony," Kretschmer emphasized. "We will strive to improve the situation across Germany in collaboration with the new federal government." He stressed the urgent need for a signal that "work, achievements, entrepreneurship, and profits are beneficial for our country."
Jörg Urban, leader of the AfD parliamentary group, vehemently criticized the government, labeling it a "coalition of weakness." He claimed that the government can only function "by the CDU holding backdoor negotiations with parties that are far from conservative or middle-class." He asserted that forming a majority with the AfD, the largest opposition party, is out of the question, describing it as "a betrayal of voters." According to him, a firewall erected by the CDU obstructs Saxony’s future.
Christian Hartmann, leader of the CDU parliamentary group, appealed to all parties to confront the political situation and embrace new approaches. "This means discarding the reflexive patterns of blanket acceptance and rejection of proposals based on opposition or coalition lines. To make this work, we all need to be open, trusting, and willing to learn." He emphasized the blurring of boundaries between government and opposition in this legislative term, with all parties sharing responsibility.
Ronny Kupke, deputy parliamentary group leader of the BSW, accused the minority government of lacking the will to shape the state’s future effectively. "Industry and small businesses are under pressure. Trade businesses are struggling to survive. Young companies face difficulties establishing themselves in the market." However, instead of promoting economic growth, Kupke claimed that the government is pursuing a "strategy of stagnation." He criticized the absence of a clear growth strategy.
Henning Homann, leader of the SPD parliamentary group, implored all parliamentary groups to bridge partisan divides. "Let us engage in more dialogue. Let us debate in a civilized manner," he urged. "Our objective must be to reunite our society from the center." He stressed that it is not merely about supporting the government’s sound ideas with a majority but also about embracing constructive proposals from the opposition.
According to Franziska Schubert, parliamentary group leader of the Greens, the novel situation demands a learning curve for all involved. The upcoming years will be successful "only through a genuinely collaborative approach, characterized by give and take, generosity, and freedom." Schubert affirmed the Greens’ willingness to contribute constructively. However, they expect the government and its leader to prioritize the common good.
Susanne Schaper, parliamentary group leader of the Left, pledged the opposition’s reliability. "We believe that the Minister-President’s offer is genuine, and we are ready to engage with it. Ultimately, actions speak louder than words. The current political climate is precarious, necessitating cooperation among democrats," Schaper stated. The Left views itself as a responsible opposition party committed to finding solutions.
