The SPD’s top candidate in North Rhine-Westphalia, Jochen Ott, considers an alliance between the SPD, Linke, and the Greens possible after the state election next year. He told Zeit that a red-red-green majority in North Rhine-Westphalia is mathematically possible right now. He believes there are people within Linke with whom collaboration could occur.
A coalition governed by the electoral traffic light is also possible. Ott added that it is also an option for Hendrik Wüst to become his junior partner. Currently, the CDU is clearly ahead of the SPD in NRW, but the gap in the polls has recently narrowed. Ott said that the US Midterms have given him hope as well. Half a year ago, nobody believed that Texas would ever turn blue. “We are told that North Rhine-Westphalia can no longer turn red. That is nonsense.”
In the next year, Ott challenges CDU Minister-President Hendrik Wüst for the state election. Ott said that it is obvious that they are “different types” when speaking about his competitor Wüst. He stated, “You find me more in the pub than in an upscale restaurant.” Ott said that the time for more authenticity in politics has arrived. He lamented that the CDU aims to avoid direct duels between Hendrik Wüst and himself, either on television or in the state parliament.
