Thuringia's CDU and The Left parties resume discussions

In a recent meeting, Thuringia's Minister President, Mario Voigt, held a conversation with the state chairpersons of the Left, Katja Maurer and Ralf Plötner. The discussion centred around the double budget and the central projects of the state government in the second half of the current year.

However, the meeting did not lead to any concrete results, as the incompatibility resolution of the Union towards AfD and the Left continues to be an obstacle in the relationship between the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Left.

Maurer found it disturbing that there are repeated statements from the Thuringian CDU that seek to discredit the Left by placing it in the same line as the former East German ruling party, the SED. She believes that Voigt has now understood why the Left withdrew from the "Three-plus-one" format.

Despite this, de facto cooperation between the CDU and the Left has existed at the local and state levels in Germany for years, including in Thuringia. Due to the exclusion of any cooperation with AfD in the coalition agreement, the alliance with CDU, BSW, and SPD must coordinate with the Left to find a majority in the Thuringian state parliament.

The Left is willing to discuss with the Union about the future of Thuringia, but finds the CDU's decisions to be counter to political practice, especially in Thuringia. The atmosphere at the four-way meeting was, from the Left's perspective, relaxed and friendly.

The Left has been practically supporting the first Blackberry coalition on the state level since the end of 2024. The CDU's support made it possible for the adoption of a state budget every year, despite the alliance lacking a parliamentary majority in the state parliament. In the previous legislative period, the CDU acted as a "constructive opposition" supporting a red-red-green minority government in Thuringia.

Voigt's spokesperson stated that a dialogue with a constructive opposition is important to the Minister President. The Left will not refuse to participate in discussions about the draft of the double budget 2026/2027.

Christian Schaft, the chairman of the Left faction in the Thuringian state parliament, did not attend the meeting. Maurer believes that Voigt has now understood why the Left withdrew from the "Three-plus-one" format, which was due to the perceived non-binding nature of the exchange at the faction chairpersons' level before the parliamentary summer break.

As the coalition talks continue, Voigt has announced that he will meet with the Left to discuss potential cooperation at the state level. The future of Thuringia's political landscape remains uncertain, but the dialogue between the CDU and the Left is a positive step towards finding a solution that benefits the people of Thuringia.