BSW in Saxony-Anhalt also wants to talk to the AfD

Following the state parliamentary election in Saxony-Anhalt, the BSW announced that it would also discuss cooperation with the AfD. “We do not have any firewall. We will speak with all parties,” said the newly elected parliamentary group leader Thomas Schulze.

Regarding the AfD’s election result, he said: “Whoever receives well over 40 percent is the winner of the election.” He added: “We would also like to extend our congratulations from our parliamentary group, including our congratulations to Mr. Siegmund.” When asked whether he explicitly ruled out a coalition with the AfD, Schulze responded evasively. He emphasized: “The current governing coalition has been voted out. That must be accepted, and that is precisely what we call democracy.”

“Neither distancing nor calls for new elections are appropriate”

His deputy, Claudia Wittig, said: “We are not entering coalition negotiations; we are discussing projects.” They would speak with all parties about the positions they want for Saxony-Anhalt. “One of the first projects will be the question of energy prices.”

All parties must now work with the democratic outcome of the election, “whether we like it or not,” Wittig said. “Therefore, neither distancing nor calls for new elections, which have already been made in various quarters, are appropriate.”

The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) has entered the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament for the first time. As a result, the AfD does not have an absolute majority. The formation of a government could become complicated.

The AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the state office for the protection of the constitution, could only come to power if it finds supporters. If there are three members of parliament from other parliamentary groups who vote for the AfD’s lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, he could be elected Minister-President already in the first ballot.