For the second time since Saxony’s state election, the BSW, which tolerates the CDU-SPD minority government, voted with the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) on a key issue.
On Tuesday, in the Saxon State Parliament, the BSW voted in favor of an AfD proposal opposing the deployment of American medium-range missiles in Germany. BSW MP Jörg Scheibe explained, “Even if it is a request from the AfD Group, it is still correct and deserves approval.” However, the motion failed as the CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left Party, holding a combined majority of 64 out of 120 seats, rejected it. Nonetheless, this marked the second notable instance where the BSW signaled its influence on the minority government, which depends on BSW’s support since it lacks the required ten votes for a majority.
Two weeks earlier, the BSW had also backed an AfD motion to establish a committee of inquiry into Germany’s COVID-19 response. Although the AfD didn’t need their support, as it already had more than the required 25% of parliamentary backing, the move highlighted growing tensions. Following this, the SPD briefly paused exploratory talks with the CDU and BSW but later resumed them. Soon after, the Wagenknecht group stepped away from negotiations.
The AfD’s latest motion, titled “Peace Instead of Missiles – For a Peaceful Europe and a Policy of De-escalation,” urged Saxony’s state government to lobby the federal government against deploying non-nuclear American missiles. Due to the 1990 Two Plus Four Agreement, such missiles are restricted to West German territories. AfD Group leader Jörg Urban argued the deployment threatens Germany’s national sovereignty, claiming, “Germany upgraded Ukraine but helped Ukraine nothing.” He called for a European security structure that includes Russia.
BSW Group leader Sabine Zimmermann warned that an unpredictable American president, such as Trump, might disregard the risks these missiles pose to Germany’s population, as they could make the country a target for Russian strikes. She accused the SPD of betraying its principles for “a few ministerial posts.”
SPD MP Sophie Koch fired back, asserting, “Willy Brandt would be at the side of Ukraine today.” Meanwhile, Justice Minister Katja Meier (Greens) accused the AfD of seeking Ukraine’s surrender, while CDU Interior Minister Armin Schuster defended NATO’s actions, arguing that the alliance must counter Russian militarization.
Though the AfD motion was defeated, the BSW’s actions continue to highlight divisions within Saxony’s parliament and its growing influence over the minority govern
