The Greens have rejected exploratory talks with the AfD about a possible government formation in Saxony-Anhalt. “It is absurd to assume that we will hold talks with the right-wing extremist AfD about the future of our country,” said top candidate Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz of the German Press Agency.
After the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, there are signs that it will be difficult to form a government. The AfD received by far the most votes, but missed out on a sole government. Before the election, all other parties had ruled out a coalition with the AfD. Nevertheless, AfD General Secretary Tobias Rausch announced that he would like to invite all parties represented in the state parliament to exploratory talks.
The SPD will not respond to this either. A spokesman confirmed upon request that the letter from the AfD was received by the regional association via email. “We are not accepting the offer to talk.”
According to the police, around 9,000 people in Cologne protested under the motto “Stop right-wing extremism in Saxony-Anhalt and everywhere - strengthen democracy!” demonstrated. The “Cologne opposes itself” alliance called for this after the AfD’s election victory in Saxony-Anhalt.
Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) expects a new state government to be elected in the first week of meetings at the beginning of October. “I am pretty sure that after the state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at the latest, the AfD and BSW will tell the truth that they have long since reached an agreement,” said Schulze.
The CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt has elected Prime Minister Sven Schulze as its new chairman. He prevailed in a fight vote against Guido Heuer.
Sven Schulze also wants to prevent an AfD Prime Minister from leading the Prime Minister's Conference from October. He has asked acting chairman Gordon Schnieder to find another solution.
Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned against turning away from Europe. “I can only urgently warn against a path back to national solutions,” said the CDU politician.
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has spoken out in favor of electing an AfD politician as state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt. The parliamentary managing director of the BSW state parliamentary group, John Lucas Dittrich, confirmed: “The AfD will receive our votes for the state parliament president.”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed shock at the election results. “As a CDU member, my heart bleeds,” she said in Cologne. You have to get away from fixating on the “firewall” and confidently formulate your own goals.
Lydia Hüskens will remain FDP state chairwoman until the next party conference. She takes responsibility for the election results.
Siemens boss Roland Busch calls for the planned reforms to be adhered to in order to respond to the “loss of control” through economic growth.
North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst attributes the election victory to “fear”. He emphasized that the Basic Law still applies in Saxony-Anhalt.
In a YouGov survey, 36 percent of respondents reject the AfD forming a government with the help of other parties.
Bundestag member Sepp Müller is running as the new CDU state leader in Saxony-Anhalt.
CSU leader Markus Söder described the election as the “biggest educational election in history” and called for more understandable politics in Berlin.
