The “Gordian knot” in Thuringia – the CDU politician Lieberknecht should help the left Ramelow. But there is further controversy in Erfurt about the path to new elections and a transitional government.
The Linke, SPD, Greens and CDU in Thuringia have not yet agreed on a transitional government under CDU politician Christine Lieberknecht despite negotiations lasting for hours. The leaders of the four parties postponed their talks on resolving the government crisis late Tuesday evening. The talks should continue this Wednesday and if possible be concluded by Friday, said party leader of the left, Susanne Hennig-Wellsow.
The crucial point in the negotiations between the four parties is the time for new elections – the left is for a quick appointment, the CDU for a later one.
In addition to the surprise proposal by former Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow to elect 61-year-old Lieberknecht to head a “technical government”, Red-Red-Green was also considering the possibility of a minority government headed by Ramelow, which would also lead to new elections said Hennig-Wellsow.
A two-thirds majority would be needed
A two-thirds majority of the 90 MPs is required for a new election in the state parliament. Left, SPD and Greens together only have 42 seats in parliament. The support of the CDU with its 21 seats is needed.
The CDU faction initially only partially responded to Ramelow’s surprise offer to put Lieberknecht at the head of a “technical government” with only three ministers. A government of transition is needed for stability, said CDU country and faction leader Mike Mohring, “We welcome the fact that Bodo Ramelow proposed to propose Christine Lieberknecht for such a government.” But his offer falls short.
“In order to achieve this stability, we believe that a government is needed that is fully staffed and bipartisan by appointed experts,” said Mohring. From his perspective, the CDU believes that the focus will initially be on stable government work and a budget for 2021. The 48-year-old said that such a budget should not only be drawn up by a transitional government but also decided by the current state parliament. The CDU sees a way to stability, which “hasty new elections” would not bring, according to a MP.
Representatives of the Left, SPD and Greens as well as the CDU at a meeting in the Thuringian state parliament. (Source: dpa)
The SPD chairmen Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans criticized the CDU approach in the Thuringian government crisis. Every wait and delay without a state government capable of acting undermines trust in democracy. “According to the most recent experience, voters should ensure that democratic governmental majority is able to act with rapid new elections – as suggested by Thuringia’s SPD head of state Wolfgang Tiefensee from the start.”
The 61-year-old Lieberknecht was head of government in Thuringia from 2009 to 2014 and at that time led a coalition of the CDU and SPD. After the state elections in 2014, the SPD opted for an alliance with the left and the Greens. This led to a change of power, even though the CDU remained the strongest parliamentary group at the time. Lieberknecht has been said to have a good relationship with Ramelow for many years.
“The best and smartest proposal”
His proposal to put Lieberknecht at the head of a transitional government met with approval from Ramelow’s coalition partners SPD and Greens. Ramelow also received backing from his federal party. The Left Chairman Bernd Riexinger appealed to the Thuringian CDU to support the proposed transitional government. This is “the best and smartest proposal” to get new elections quickly, Riexinger said. Green leader Robert Habeck called the proposal “useful”. “He can open the door to come out of the government crisis and enable orderly new elections,” said Habeck.
So far, the CDU has been in a dilemma. It is bound by a party convention that rules out a coalition or similar cooperation with both the AfD and the left. It therefore does not want to elect the left Ramelow as Prime Minister. Ramelow, whose red-red-green alliance has no majority, has so far insisted on being elected with an absolute majority in order not to be dependent on AfD votes – with the help of the CDU or the FDP.
Before that was the FDP politician Thomas Kemmerich was elected Prime Minister with votes from the AfD, CDU and FDP, but resigned after nationwide outrage. He is still managing director.
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