After top meeting: Coalition: “Historical test” for democracy

After more than four hours of deliberations in the coalition committee, the leaders of the Union and SPD emphasized a “good and constructive atmosphere”. At the same time, they clearly distanced themselves from any political extremism.

“We are aware that our democracy is facing a historic test these days,” says a joint message from Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei, SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch and CSU regional group leader Alexander Hoffmann to the members of the Bundestag, which is available to the German Press Agency. “We are determined not to leave our country to extremists.”

The coalition agrees that economic growth, secure jobs and social cohesion must be at the center of the coalition's further work program. “That is why the coalition committee discussed all current issues in order to bring the associated projects to a quick conclusion.”

The leaders of the Union and SPD ended their discussions in the coalition committee about the further reform course shortly after 10 p.m. in the evening. The main topics of the meeting were the further implementation of the reform projects already approved in July and the 2027 budget.

Dealing with AfD and left-wing issues

It had already been announced before the meeting that the aftermath of the elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin would also be discussed. On Tuesday, an AfD politician was elected state parliament president for the first time in Saxony-Anhalt - in a secret ballot. There is a suspicion that he also received votes from the CDU. The SPD is in turmoil because of this.

In the Union, however, there is anger that the SPD may form a coalition with the Left in Berlin. The Berlin Left is viewed by the Union as partly anti-Semitic and left-wing extremist.