The Thuringian SPD is sticking to the coalition government in Thuringia - despite the planned dissolution of the BSW parliamentary group. “The SPD remains in the coalition,” said SPD state leader and Interior Minister Georg Maier to the German Press Agency in Erfurt. “In this government, the SPD stands for reliability, a clear stance and a concrete desire to shape things.”
The board of the Social Democrats and the district chairmen discussed the government crisis in Thuringia in a meeting lasting several hours in Erfurt on Monday evening after a large proportion of the members of the BSW parliamentary group left the Wagenknecht party. The CDU, BSW and SPD have been governing together in Thuringia since the end of 2024. However, the Jusos demanded the conclusion of a new coalition agreement that should contain social democratic priorities.
CDU Prime Minister Mario Voigt called the SPD decision an “important signal for the ability to act and stability” in Thuringia. “We are continuing our work reliably – supported by good cooperation in the coalition and with a clear focus on the specific tasks for our country,” explained Voigt.
Social Democrats want regulations with the left
The SPD once again demanded a binding discussion format with the Left faction. The background is that the coalition is losing votes due to the dissolution of the BSW and is even more dependent on support from the opposition left than before.
Previously, the so-called blackberry coalition had 44 of 88 seats in the state parliament, now it could be 39 in the worst case scenario. “The CDU is called upon to resolve the contradiction between its practical incompatibility strategy and the necessary parliamentary agreement,” explained the Social Democrats.
A new faction of ex-BSW members is to be founded on Wednesday
Ex-BSW members around Deputy Prime Minister Katja Wolf have now urgently founded a new party, and a new parliamentary group is to be founded this Wednesday. Wolf sees the ability to govern again after the collapse of the BSW faction. The CDU Voigt had already committed to the coalition even under these circumstances.
The SPD continues to see its responsibility for a stable and effective state government, explained state managing director Markus Giebe after the meeting of the party committees with the corresponding resolutions. “The existing government contract remains the basis. It is crucial for the SPD that its goals are implemented, Thuringia remains able to act and democratic majorities can be organized.
Jusos: Government needs new contract
According to the SPD's ideas, the discussion format with the Left parliamentary group should build on the previous "3 plus 1 format" and enable a reliable understanding of democratic majorities.
In view of the collapse of the Thuringian BSW faction, the state government needs a new political basis, Juso state chairwoman Sophie Ringhand explained before the board meeting. “More has changed than simply adjusting the letterhead or cover page of the coalition agreement is sufficient,” argued Ringhand.
She had also spoken out in favor of firm agreements with the Left faction and continues to demand a clear demarcation from the AfD. “It must be unmistakably clear: no cooperation, no agreements and no majorities with the right-wing extremists – not even when it comes to staff elections,” explained the Juso boss.
