Saxony’s Prime Minister called for a focus on problem solving rather than the AfD
Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) criticized the debate about possible cooperation between his party and the AfD as counterproductive. “There’s no point just talking about dealing with the AfD,” Kretschmer told the German editorial network newspaper (RND) on Monday. What is more important is to solve the problem and understand the reasons for the rise of the right-wing extremist AfD: “Many people doubt democracy and the rule of law because they do not solve their problems.”
Therefore, future-oriented policies must address issues “of concern to society”: “Only in this way can confidence in the rule of law and democracy be restored. Firewalls will not help us,” added the Saxony Prime Minister.
Kretschmer answered the question of whether he would rule out future collaboration with the AfD in any form in more detail to RND: “In recent years, I have given the answer through my actions as Prime Minister. My stance towards parties classified as right-wing extremists, not only in Saxony, is clear.”
Kretschmer rules Saxony with a minority government consisting of the CDU and SPD. Blacks and reds are ten votes shy of their majority in the state legislature. Prime Minister Kretschmer’s Christian Democrats and SPD therefore depend on the approval of other parliamentary groups, which they engage in advance through so-called consultation mechanisms, for votes such as on the state budget and for legislative initiatives. They have so far ruled out working with the AfD. The Green Party, Left, BSW and members of the Free Voters are also represented in the state parliament.
AFP
