We are since '89
all articles
The last time the FDP member of the Bundestag Thomas L. Kemmerich cast his vote in the Bundestag on 26 September, just under a half months ago. On his profile on the website of the German Bundestag are found in all subsequent votes small gray circles and the note: "Not abg.". Kemmerich has not cast a vote.
His attention is now Thuringia, the career in Berlin ends. FDP country chief Kemmerich owes it exactly to 73 voters that his liberals have managed over the five-percent hurdle in the new Erfurt Landtag just over two weeks ago.
HAYOUNG JEON / EPA-EFE / REX
Thomas L. Kemmerich, FDP leader in Thuringia
Kemmerich drew attention to himself in the election campaign, especially with clear announcements - in the MDR Talk, for example, he countered Björn Höcke so sharply and pointedly, as no other of the state politicians could.
But even if the re-entry as a success for the FDP can be booked, it will simply not have the five MPs in Erfurt. Perhaps they will even help in the end red-red-green to power. Because a convincing alternative to the FDP does not have.
State election Thuringia 2019
Final result
Second vote result
Shares in percent
CDU
21.7
-11.8
The left
31
+2.8
SPD
8.2
-4.2
AFD
23.4
+12.8
green
5.2
-0.5
FDP
5
+2.5
other
5.5
-1.6
allocation of seats
Total: 90
Majority: 46 seats
29
8th
5
5
21
22
The Left (29)
SPD (8)
Green (5)
FDP (5)
CDU (21)
AfD (22)
Source: Provincial Returning Officer
Results in detail
Reason is the complicated election outcome in Thuringia. More than 50 percent of the Landtag mandates went to Left and AfD, with which CDU and FDP but want to enter into any coalition. The only possibility is therefore - in addition to the continuation of the red-red-green coalition of Left-Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow as the managing government - a minority government.
Left, SPD and Greens already signaled that they would form such a coalition. But without even a hint of liability from CDU or FDP, it should be difficult.
These are the hurdles for red-red-green:
- First, there is no majority in parliament to elect Bodo Ramelow to the post of prime minister. Only in the third ballot, according to the constitution "the most votes". Since CDU country chief Mike Mohring ruled out to be elected with Prime Minister votes to prime minister, there would be computationally no opponent, who could get more votes than Ramelow.
- If Red-Red-Green is formally in government, the Alliance still needs the absolute majority to pass laws. At times, a government can keep its regulations afloat, but in the spring of 2020, the first talks on the 2021 budget are due.
- Although CDU and FDP exclude any cooperation with the AfD. Nevertheless, in the opposition common voice response could hardly be prevented: "We agree, of course, if this corresponds to our objectives in the election program," says the AFD Group vice Jens Cotta SPIEGEL. Only logical for a minority government: The opposition would have a majority to pass resolutions.
The situation is tricky, especially since the pressure on all parties is likely to increase. "There is an obligation for all to move now and we can not just tell voters in a few weeks that we are going to vote again," said the Green Party vice-president in the Thuringian state parliament, Olaf Müller, SPIEGEL. He warns that especially the AfD could benefit from it.
But first, the parties must first talk to each other.
Rainer Unkel / imago images
Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, left-chief in Thuringia
CDU leader Mohring initially stated that he wanted to speak with "State Political Responsibility" with Prime Minister Ramelow - but not with the Left and its party leader. Ramelow in turn insisted that there should also be talks with his party, Mohring even speaks as party leader. When Mohring then chatted about an SMS from Ramelow on ZDF, Ramelow said the conversation because of indiscretion completely.
All new posts "Wir wir '89" once a week by e-mail .
Subscribe to the newsletter right here:
However, they will somehow talk to each other in the future anyway: Ramelow, Mohring and the left-leaning country director Susanne Hennig-Wellsow know each other for a long time, have often talked to each other. Not any longer longer? In the parties, one looks amused at the theater of the party leaders.
The next chance: Zimbabwe Connection
For its part, the FDP canceled a mailed offer from the left. CDU and FDP do not want a coalition, no toleration, no cooperation with the left, of course. And yet they will have to move if they want to avoid new elections.
DPA / Michael Reichel
Mike Mohring, CDU chief in Thuringia
CDU and FDP offered Greens and SPD talks, still rely on a minority government of these four parties, the so-called Zimbabwe coalition. However, this is considered unrealistic, because this coalition would depend on the budget at the latest left or AfD. The Greens boss Anja Siegesmund said already, her lack of the imagination.
Corresponding dates are still agreed - because you really want to get into the conversation. And so in the end, but maybe a cooperation could come about: CDU and FDP could eventually work with a part of the possible red-red-green minority government a bit and discuss - so with SPD and Greens.
Not with the left, of course. So not at least.
