Given the low approval ratings for the red-black federal government coalition, the SPD branch in Saxony-Anhalt is distinguishing itself from its federal party ahead of the state election in September. For this campaign, top candidate and vice-minister-president Armin Willingmann has enlisted several SPD minister presidents from other states. Willingmann told the “Tagesspiegel” (Monday edition) that he wants to use the campaign to demonstrate that Social Democrats are capable of governing well in other regions. He expressed pleasure that successful SPD premiers, such as Olaf Lies, Anke Rehlinger, and Dietmar Woidke, have offered their support.
When asked if he wanted appearances from federal SPD leader Lars Klingbeil or SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf in Saxony-Anhalt, Willingmann did not respond. The election takes place on September 6th. Willingmann stated that decisions made by the Berlin coalition, as well as their public presence, “affect us fully” whether positively or negatively. Consequently, he added that the SPD Saxony-Anhalt would continue to accompany the Berlin politics in a constructively critical manner over the coming months, while also distancing itself from the federal government where necessary, mirroring past actions.
Willingmann criticized two policies enacted by the federal government: the option for a tax-free 1,000-euro premium and the maintenance of services not tied to insurance. He predicted that Saxony-Anhalt would likely not pay this premium to its employees, arguing that the “unfortunate proposal of the federal government is almost completely futile in the east and deepens the state’s division”. Furthermore, Willingmann rejected the idea that those legally insured should continue to cover the contributions for basic security recipients, stating, “That cannot be the case. Such costs must be distributed across more shoulders or covered by tax revenue”.
For the state election, the SPD aims for a better result than the 8.4 percent achieved in 2021. Willingmann stated, “We want to clear double digits, around 10 percent plus x” suggesting that the AfD is expected to be the strongest force, and that the CDU will need the SPD to form a government, as “the CDU cannot form a government alone”.
Given that Green party polling figures are below the five-percent threshold, the SPD Saxony-Anhalt plans to appeal more strongly to Green voters. Willingmann remarked that they aim to convince former Green voters with practical environmental policies, adding, “A vote for the SPD should not be a wasted vote”.
