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Wagenknecht party threatens to overthrow Woidke's government in Brandenburg!
Brandenburg's government alliance of the SPD and BSW is facing a crisis. State parliament debates controversial state treaties.
Wagenknecht party threatens to overthrow Woidke's government in Brandenburg!
In Brandenburg the signs point to a storm. The government alliance of the SPD and Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) is facing a serious crisis. Reason enough for the members of the state parliament to prepare in the near future for the upcoming votes on two state contracts for public broadcasting (ÖRR). These contracts have already been approved by 14 of the 16 state parliaments, but the BSW announced that it would reject them, despite the uniform voting behavior agreed in the coalition agreement. As the Tagesspiegel reports, Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) is now facing increasing pressure as polls show the SPD trailing the AfD.
A coalition committee that was supposed to discuss relevant issues was canceled. Nevertheless, the topic is on the agenda of the state parliament's main committee next Wednesday. Tensions within the BSW are evident; Group leader Niels Olaf Lüders carried out a test vote, the result of which was 9 yes votes, 3 abstentions and 1 no. The new BSW state chairwoman Friederike Benda reiterates her rejection of the state contracts and the outgoing party leader Sahra Wagenknecht is also unyielding.
The power struggles are fueling concerns
The BSW is currently under pressure to maintain its profile and credibility, which is particularly important after missing out on entry into the Bundestag. Woidke appears calm about the conflict over the state media treaty. Despite all this, a possible switch from BSW MPs to the SPD parliamentary group is already being discussed. The SPD currently holds 32 seats in the state parliament, while the BSW has 14 representatives. The CDU has 12 members in parliament and the Red-Black Alliance currently operates with a minority government.
In the context of the political turmoil in Germany, where the traffic light government has collapsed, the federal government is planning new elections for February 23, 2024. This situation could also affect the decisions in Brandenburg. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already asked Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for approval and plans to ask the Bundestag for a vote of confidence on December 16th. The SPD must ensure that important issues, such as combating cold progression and increasing child benefit, are addressed by these new elections, as the NZZ reports.
The challenges facing the Brandenburg government could not only affect state politics, but could also have consequences at the national level. It remains to be seen whether BSW will change its line or the crisis will escalate further.