Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister President Daniel Günther has praised the Left Party ahead of the CDU federal party conference. Günther stated that “Bodo Ramelow is not a threat to democracy,” unlike the AfD. He emphasized that there is not an equal distance between the Left Party and the AfD, and that Ramelow is a smart individual who he respects and collaborates with in the Minister President’s conference. While Günther clarified that the CDU has different opinions on various issues and he personally would not seek a coalition with the Left Party, he stressed that the Left Party and the AfD cannot be equated due to their significant differences.
Günther’s statements come amidst a debate on the CDU’s decision to rule out cooperation with both the Left Party and the AfD. He highlighted the distinction between a party that has been classified as far-right extremist by the intelligence services in Thuringia and two other states, and a party that has held the position of Minister President for many years. Günther pointed out that democracy in Thuringia has not been abolished or endangered in recent years, unlike the situation with the AfD. Ramelow currently governs with the SPD and the Greens in a minority government, with the CDU occasionally supporting the government on specific issues.
In Thuringia, the CDU does not have a formal policy against cooperation with the party founded by former Left Party politician Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). Günther emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the Left Party and the AfD due to their contrasting ideologies and actions. He acknowledged that the CDU and the Left Party have diverging views on many issues, but reiterated that Ramelow is not a threat to democracy and has shown a willingness to collaborate with other political parties, unlike the AfD.
The CDU’s stance on cooperating with the Left Party and the AfD has been a topic of discussion within the party ahead of the federal party conference. Günther’s comments reflect his belief that the two parties are not equivalent in terms of their impact on democracy and governance. While the CDU has clear differences with the Left Party, Günther highlighted the importance of recognizing the nuanced differences between political parties in order to maintain democratic principles and foster constructive political dialogue.
As Thuringia prepares for the next election, Günther’s comments shed light on the complex dynamics between parties and the challenges of forming political alliances in a diverse and multi-party system. By acknowledging the positive aspects of cooperation with the Left Party while maintaining a critical stance toward the AfD, Günther’s statements underscore the importance of nuanced political discourse and strategic decision-making in contemporary German politics.
