Why the Union will remain dependent on the left

For the left, it was like the birthday of Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Marx at once: on the 6th email Friedrich Merz are to be elected tenth Federal Chancellor of Germany, but 18 MPs from their own black and red coalition Chances the Sauerland in the first round. A historical « Rambo Zambo » that could only be eliminated on the same day because the left was also ready to change the rules of procedure at short notice. The party from which the Union has tried to differentiate itself with a hard incompatibility decision since the 2018 Hamburg party congress.

Since Merz had to keep up, however, the Union has been pursuing a debate that it would not like to lead, but not get rid of it. Because without the left and the Greens in the Bundestag, no constitutional majority will come about in the future – if the right -wing protection is classified as a right -wing extremist AfD should be left out. And soon there is the election of new constitutional judges-this also needs a two-thirds majority. The incompatibility decision towards the left no longer seems to be as firm as before. Chancellor’s head Thorsten Frei, who is one of the Merz confidants, said im Germany radio anyway: « We will have to deal with the question of how we will deal with it in the current majority relationships in the German Bundestag. »

What the former Thuringian Prime Minister Ramelow says about Union debate

Being around the Union was everyday life for Bodo Ramelow. The former Thuringian Prime Minister of the Left has also successfully completed the « Mission Silberlocke » and has been sitting in the parliamentary group of the Left, which has been strengthened on 64 seats since February. For the Bundestag Vice President, the cooperation between the two parties has been a « reality for a long time ». However, one, as the 69-year-old from our editorial team said, who « is still denied by the Union ». However, there have been municipal cooperation for decades, and agreements and votes are always a matter of course in state parliament. “In Thuringia, I successfully conducted a minority government for five years, which for majorities on the voices of the CDU was dependent. Together we have decided on the state budgets and a variety of laws. At times there was even a written agreement.  »

And: « For decades there have been agreements in Thuringia for which a two-thirds majority was necessary, agreements and joint coordination between the PDS or the left and the CDU. » For Ramelow, the joint procedure in the Bundestag is therefore « only a further step towards normal ». The left Be ready to work with all democratic parties, where this is correct for the preservation of democracy or for sensible goals. However, the Union must finally leave the « Cold War » behind and admit that it « has been working with the left long ago. That would be a first step ». According to Ramelow, he looks at « the current contortions » of the Union with interest, but also with concern. Because: « It would be more helpful for a stable democracy if the Union would decide quickly here. »

Bodo Ramelow observes the « contortions » of the Union with interest

However, there can be no question of quickly. The differences in content remain very large. In the leading application of the Chemnitz party congress of the left it says: « In Germany, Merz embodies not only the neoliberal transatlantic, but also the authoritarian right -wing populists. It is to be expected that a federal government, led by Merz, will also make little effort to solve real problems, but will also take steps to an authoritarian economy … » If you only take out the topic of defense, says Ramelow:  » I really don’t know what NATO stands for and whether it has existed at all. There are many more basic issues: this ranges from anti-Semitism definition to the economic system. The left wants to overcome capitalism, according to the party leadership of the « embers » of its politics.

Konrad Adenauer: Freedom or Socialism? Is that really the question?

Freedom or socialism? This old either-or Konrad Adenauers is generally going out for the Union in dealing with the left. But is that still credible and contemporary 70 years later? The first parliamentary managing director of the new Union faction Steffen Bilger says that the incompatibility decision to the left applies: « A cooperation with the Left Party is out of the question in the future. »

Until there is no other way. New constitutional judges are needed in Karlsruhe. How should that work without the left? Ramelow says in perspective: « The first step has to take the Union and agree to talk to us about it. » That could be exciting. Because Ramelow also says: « Of course, my heart’s desire would be to choose more women and people from the new federal states in order to better map our society. »

Party researcher Höhne: Union must question her anti-communism

How does the Union get from its dilemma? How could she change your position – provided the left would be ready for cooperation? The party researcher Benjamin Höhne says: « The Union should question its traditional anti-communism. He is hardly suitable to deal with today’s left forces and to mobilize his own supporters. » The left, on the other hand, analyzes the political scientist,, for example, would have to find different answers to Russian imperialism than strict pacifism. « I do not think that the many new members are sufficiently sufficient for the current problem solving from the moth box of anti -capitalism. »