Brandenburg’s Finance Minister and Vice-Premier, Robert Crumbach of the Basis Social Movement (BSW), has downplayed the likelihood of the contentious reform of Germany’s public broadcasters collapsing due to internal party divisions, yet acknowledged a significant strain on the state’s governing coalition. Speaking on the Berlin Playbook podcast, Crumbach indicated ongoing negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) regarding their voting intentions on the proposed media state treaties, a process vital for securing approval from Brandenburg before the month’s end.
While confident that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) will support the reforms, Crumbach conceded that disagreement exists within his own BSW faction, prompting ongoing discussions. He explicitly stated his certainty that “some of my parliamentarians will not vote in favor” highlighting the precarious position of the Potsdam coalition. The impasse surrounding the media reforms has plunged the SPD and BSW partnership into a substantial crisis, exposing underlying tensions and eroding trust.
“It is certainly the case that a coalition, like any good relationship, requires a great deal of trust” Crumbach remarked, implicitly referencing recent events that have tested that trust. His comments reflect a deeper malaise within the fragile coalition, particularly as the deadline for ratification approaches.
Beyond the immediate push for media reform, Crumbach issued a pointed warning to his own party against pursuing opportunistic alliances with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), emphasizing the imperative to actively oppose them. This rebuke extends to developments in Saxony-Anhalt, where signals of potential AfD collaboration have triggered concern. “The AfD is a political opponent. They must be fought” he asserted, labelling any deviation from this core principle as “not the right way”. His remarks underscore the broader concerns surrounding the potential for fragmented political strategies within the German left and the risks of normalizing extremist viewpoints.
