BSW founder Wagenknecht leaves AfD cooperation open

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht leaves open how her party wants to work with the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt. “We make common policies with everyone who is prepared to implement changes that the people in our country want,” said Wagenknecht in an interview with ZDF’s “heute journal”.

But she added: “Of course there are a number of positions in the AfD program that we do not share. And there will be no support, just clear resistance.”

Wagenknecht is campaigning for a non-partisan head of government

Wagenknecht reiterated her party's proposal to nominate a "non-partisan prime minister" who would govern with changing majorities. Just because AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund rejected this doesn't mean the proposal is wrong.

“We still think it makes sense for us to talk to the parties – and the invitation also applies to the AfD – for a non-partisan prime minister who is respected across party lines and who stands for a new political beginning,” she said.

So far there has been no proposal from the AfD for talks with the BSW. Siegmund made it clear that he now wanted to talk to members of the CDU. “He apparently hopes to get a majority there,” said Wagenknecht. “He is free to do that, he has a very strong election result and if the CDU wants to elect him, or members of the CDU want to elect him, then he will certainly be elected.”

The BSW came in at just over five percent in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. It could help the AfD, which won 43.8 percent, to gain a majority. Wagenknecht had ruled out a coalition with the AfD before the election, but not selective cooperation.