parties
Eastern Commissioner: Wagenknecht Alliance “pure media phenomenon”
Minister of State and Eastern Representative of the Federal Government: Carsten Schneider. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
Who will govern with whom after the state elections in the east in September? It’s getting complicated, said the Federal Government’s Eastern Commissioner in an interview with the German Press Agency.
Six months before the state elections in East Germany, SPD politician Carsten Schneider sees the new alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) very skeptical. “The BSW with Ms. Wagenknecht has so far been purely a media phenomenon,” said the Federal Government’s Eastern Commissioner in an interview with the German Press Agency.
“The fact that Sahra Wagenknecht makes good appearances on talk shows and has a large audience at book readings does not mean that she will actually receive many votes in the state elections. A few soldiers of fortune have gathered in the party. And there is still no real program.”
At the same time, Schneider expects difficult majority conditions, also in view of the AfD’s high poll numbers. “We have a fragmented party landscape in Thuringia,” he said. “If a government can only be formed from three or more parties and each only has its clientele in mind, then governing could become very strenuous. I am counting on the centrist parties to emerge stronger from the election.”
“It must be clear to everyone that things are really serious now”
Elections will take place in September in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. The AfD is ahead in surveys in all three countries. The SPD recently only achieved single-digit numbers in surveys in Thuringia and Saxony, and around 17 percent in Brandenburg. “It must be clear to everyone that things are really serious now,” said Schneider. However, he finds the recent mass demonstrations against right-wing extremism and the AfD encouraging.
When asked whether the traffic light coalition was partly to blame for the frustration of many citizens, the Eastern Commissioner said: “In this very tense social situation, it would help if the government had a common analysis of the situation and acted and communicated in the same way.”
Schneider was sure that a lot could change by autumn. “I believe that you can gain trust with serious performances.” However, those in power in the digital world are at a disadvantage because they rely on factual information, while emotions are stirred up and false reports are spread on social networks. “In the end, when it comes to questions of political education, I rely on reason and personal conversation,” said Schneider.
More protection for local politicians called for
He expressed concern about hostility from politicians even at the local level. “It cannot be the case that people give up political office because they are afraid,” said the SPD politician. “People at the information stand also need to be protected, against violence, but also against insults. This is especially true for the voluntary municipal elected officials. The police are called upon to do this, but so are all of us. If someone is insulted, civil courage is required: it doesn’t work that way .”
Most recently, there was an arson attack on the house of a local SPD politician in Thuringia. Parties report difficulties finding enough candidates for local elections. In June, local parliaments, district administrators and mayors will be elected in eight federal states.
It is important that politicians are treated with respect, said Schneider. “Where it is criminally relevant, the judiciary must intervene immediately.” At the same time, he asked those interested not to be deterred. “Can I advise people to go into politics? Absolutely! You also win for your own personality and learn a lot. You can achieve something.”