Approach SPD and CDU
–
Giffey sees the intersection with the CDU as larger than with the Greens
The CDU wants with the SPD – and the SPD with the CDU. The Berlin Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) thus rejects the Left and Greens. She could imagine giving up her position for the alliance, she says.
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) has defended her party’s surprising move towards a possible coalition with the CDU. The Greens “were getting signals that goals that were important to us were being put into perspective,” said Giffey on Thursday on Deutschlandfunk. In addition, it was signaled that “there is a very real interest in entering into an alliance with the CDU”.
The Greens and the Left may be in opposition in the future
In the repeat election on February 12, the SPD ended up with 18.4 percent of the votes, well behind the election winner, the CDU (28.4 percent). On Wednesday evening, the SPD state executive announced that the party wants to conduct coalition negotiations with the CDU. According to party circles, the Christian Democrats also tend towards black and red. The CDU state board wants to decide on this Thursday. If these negotiations are successful, the Greens and Left Party, who are still co-governing, would be out of government.
Greens: Jarasch disappointed with SPD cancellation
The Berlin Greens rejected the accusation by the SPD that they were responsible for the failure of the red-green-red exploratory talks. Top candidate Jarasch said on rbb24 Inforadio that the SPD had now decided to hold coalition talks with the CDU, but that did not reflect the result of the soundings. The SPD, the Greens and the Left discussed all the crucial points. As a result, either a consensus was reached or it was agreed to deepen the topic in coalition negotiations.
Giffey wants “as much SPD as possible”
According to Giffey, the SPD found that the intersections with the CDU were actually larger. But the decision was “very difficult”.. “We really didn’t take it easy on ourselves,” Giffey said. “Entering an alliance in which we lose the Red City Hall is not an easy decision.” In view of the poor election result of the SPD, the question was also what a real new beginning could look like. “Where can we get as much SPD as possible.”
SPD: Possible groko with the CDU also means compromises
Giffey acknowledged that there was “a lot of skepticism” within the SPD about a coalition with the larger CDU. “You have to take that seriously.” For the SPD, the coalition negotiations will therefore also deal with topics such as a city of diversity, cosmopolitanism, anti-discrimination and equality, as well as employee rights, tenant protection and climate protection. The SPD will not make any compromises on some issues. In addition, the SPD members are asked, who should ultimately vote on the coalition.
Broadcast: rbb|24 Inforadio, March 2nd, 2023, 6:45 a.m.