Enlarge image
SPD leader Saskia Esken
Photo:
FABIAN SOMMER / AFP
A good three weeks before the federal election, neither SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz nor Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock have generally ruled out a possible left-wing alliance.
However, the left's foreign policy stance creates disagreements.
Now the SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken has also interfered in the discussion about red-green-red.
It demands a clear commitment to NATO from any possible coalition partner after the federal election, and increases, and with it, the pressure on the left.
"The condition for a government alliance with the SPD is that coalition partners follow a solid budget policy and stand clearly for NATO and a strong, sovereign EU," said Esken of "Welt am Sonntag" according to a preliminary report.
This is not negotiable.
SPD chancellor candidate Scholz has also demanded such a commitment.
The Vice Chancellor recently said on TV channel »Bild« that he would only form a government with partners who are clearly committed to NATO and a strong EU and who »manage the money solidly«.
However, the left has been rejecting this, as well as corresponding demands by the Greens, for months.
"Instead of demanding confessions from other parties, Scholz should rather reconsider his own failed foreign policy decisions," said Left Chairwoman Janine Wissler to the Tagesspiegel last week.
Laschet renews warning of a left alliance
Shortly before the general election, an alliance of the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party is considered to be a realistic option, at least in arithmetical terms.
Union chancellor candidate Armin Laschet (CDU) has meanwhile renewed his warning against red-green-red.
"Some say yes: now the red sock campaign is being revived," said Laschet.
But that's not the point.
If the left wants to dissolve NATO and the protection of the constitution, there are reasons "that these people are not allowed to sit in a German government."
The CDU chief accused Scholz of not having a clear stance on this.
"Will he appoint a left-wing minister if he is Federal Chancellor - yes or no?" Said Laschet.
"We say: we will not form a coalition with the left."
asc / dpa