The BSW is negotiating with the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt about possible cooperation. A coalition is out of the question; instead, the BSW is campaigning for a “non-partisan Prime Minister”. The SPD also takes up the proposal.

In the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt about three weeks ago, the AfD emerged as the clear winner with 43.8 percent of the vote. The CDU came in second with 17.2 percent, over 25 percent less than the AfD. However, it is currently unclear whether and by whom a government will be formed.

The state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt has 83 seats, which means that at least 42 seats are necessary for an absolute majority - and thus for the formation of a government. With its election results, the AfD alone has 39 seats, meaning it would be three seats short of an absolute majority. A coalition of the CDU, SPD, Greens and Left, however, also has 39 seats. The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) therefore plays a crucial role because with its 5.3 percent and 5 state parliament seats it could help both camps gain an absolute majority.

BSW is considering AfD cooperation on issues

While cooperation with the AfD remains out of the question for the CDU and Co., the BSW and the AfD are already in discussions about possible cooperation. According to both parties, the talks are “constructive” – but there are no concrete plans yet. “I think the AfD doesn’t yet know exactly what it wants,” BSW state chief John Lucas Dittrich told the Funke media group.

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At least there seems to be an agreement when it comes to choosing the position for the state parliament presidency. The BSW has already confirmed its support for the election of an AfD state parliament president. Co-chair Amira Mohamed Ali referred to parliamentary customs, according to which the strongest force is entitled to the office: “That is why we will not ignore this out of principle.”

Mohamed Ali appeared a little more skeptical to WDR 5 on Wednesday: She didn't think that in a collaboration "a lot of our content could get through because there is little in common." However, she sees substantive similarities primarily in energy policy. In Saxony-Anhalt they want to implement a Federal Council initiative for affordable energy. But there are also some other overlaps in content, for example in the required increase in the number of police officers or changes in public broadcasting.

The BSW continues to reject a coalition with the AfD, as BSW top candidate Claudia Wittig confirmed once again: “We have always said we will not join a coalition,” said Wittig on the MDR program “Fact is!”. Nevertheless, cooperation with the AfD will not be categorically ruled out, because the BSW is primarily concerned with majorities on factual issues: "You have to be prepared to work together on the matter across party lines. And we bring this openness with us. We will stick to the factual work very consistently," said co-chair Mohamed Ali in an interview with Bayern 2.

The AfD and its network

The AfD and BSW do not yet want to decide on a date from which there should be a new state government. “We are not under time pressure,” said BSW parliamentary group leader Thomas Schulze. “The content is important to us – we want to bring BSW politics to the people,” it continues. AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund is also in no rush: at an appearance in Neubrandenburg in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, he claimed that “in November or December we will have the first AfD-led government in all of Germany.”

BSW wants a “non-partisan prime minister”

Mohamed Ali announced that they would abstain from the prime minister election and therefore not support the AfD candidacy. Instead, the BSW is campaigning for a “non-partisan prime minister”. Neither side should achieve an absolute majority, because if one side appointed a prime minister, “that would further deepen the rifts in society.” However, the BSW has not yet made any concrete suggestions for a non-partisan candidacy. “Of course we have our ideas – and we are open to talking to all parties to find such a person,” said Mohamed Ali.

AfD leader Tino Chrupalla clearly rejected the idea of ​​a non-partisan prime ministership. For the AfD, “there can only be one Prime Minister Ulrich Siegmund,” said Chrupalla in an interview with BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht. “Of course we need a stable majority and that doesn’t work with changing majorities.”

According to Wagenknecht, talks with the BSW about an AfD majority have not yet been sought. Top candidate Siegmund indicated that he would hold talks with the CDU in order to secure an AfD majority. “He apparently hopes to get a majority there,” said Wagenknecht.

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“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.” Although the CDU has already rejected a coalition with the AfD, the AfD could still try to convince MPs who do not follow the party's official line on AfD cooperation.

SPD invites you to talks – cross front against AfD?

While the AfD and BSW talk about possible majorities, the SPD consults the established parties and the BSW. The SPD state chairmen Juliane Kleemann and Andreas Schmidt have invited representatives of the Greens, Left, CDU and BSW to Magdeburg next Tuesday. The invitation, which has been received by the MDR Saxony-Anhalt, shows that the meeting will discuss whether a non-partisan prime ministership could “form the basis for a stable state government”.

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According to the MDR, the letter says: "The election results of September 6th present all parties represented in the new state parliament with an extraordinary situation. We are of the opinion that this creates a responsibility to seriously explore the existing possibilities for the formation of a stable and effective government."

The Greens and the Left have accepted the invitation - the CDU has already turned it down. According to a spokeswoman for the party, the state executive board has decided to go into opposition. “The state association is sticking to this decision.” The BSW was also willing to talk, according to the MDR. Group leader Thomas Schulze welcomed the fact that his party's proposal for a non-partisan candidacy was being taken up. At the same time, he criticized the exclusion of the AfD from the talks.

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