Coalition negotiations between the SPD, the Green Party, and the Left Party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern concluded on Tuesday. The resulting 135-page coalition agreement is titled “Cohesion. Confidence. Future. Together for all of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.”
SPD leader Manuela Schwesig announced her intention to run for re-election as Minister President on Monday, with the upcoming constitutional deadline for the election set for November 17. Although the approval of the coalition agreement by the party conferences this Friday and Saturday is expected to be a formality, the specific appointments for the remaining cabinet positions have not yet been announced.
Economically, the three parties agreed to expand the existing “Industrial State Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2030” concept into a comprehensive “Location and Industrial Strategy 2035.” Furthermore, a new state development bank will be created. This bank is intended to offer subsidized loans for citizen involvement in renewable energy projects, as well as assisting families with purchasing home equity and covering the costs of obtaining a driver’s license.
In social and education sectors, childcare centers are set to remain fee-free. Improvements to staffing ratios will be implemented, reaching five children per specialist in nurseries and 21 children per specialist in after-school care. The agreement allocates 600 million Euros specifically for school construction. Apprentices will benefit from a 1,000 Euro interest-free loan to begin their training, and the apprentice ticket will be converted into a subsidized youth ticket for students and volunteers.
On the climate agenda, the coalition is committed to preserving existing hospitals, and 420 million Euros will be made available to adapt these institutions to the effects of climate change. The state administration itself must achieve climate neutrality by 2030, and the draining of peatlands will be halted by 2045. Farmers who transition to wet peatlands are slated to receive financial support.
Regarding public security and governance, the three parties intend to fill 6,200 positions within the police force, while 1,000 positions within the general public administration are scheduled to be reduced. Finally, citizen participation will be strengthened through the use of public referendums and the establishment of a citizens’ council.
