Enlarge image
The SPD would continue to support him as Prime Minister in Saxony-Anhalt: Rainer Haseloff (CDU)
Photo: Hendrik Schmidt / dpa
The SPD in Saxony-Anhalt has approved the draft coalition agreement with the CDU and FDP.
In a member vote, 63.4 percent of the Social Democrats were in favor of the black-red-yellow government alliance, as chairmen Andreas Schmidt and Juliane Kleemann announced on Saturday.
36.6 percent spoke out against it.
"The result is a strong signal in every respect," said Schmidt.
At 60.4 percent, the turnout was higher than in all other SPD member surveys so far.
The vote of the SPD was considered the highest hurdle for the planned alliance: Many members had expressed serious concerns about cooperation with conservatives and liberals.
After the SPD, the other two potential coalition partners must now agree.
The CDU also questions its members.
The vote will run until September 7th, and the party will announce the result on September 10th.
On the same day, the FDP decides at a state party congress on joining the government; the consent of both parties is considered certain.
Once all three parties have accepted the draft, the contract can be signed on September 13th, and three days later Reiner Haseloff could be re-elected as prime minister in the state parliament.
him / dpa
