The co-leader of Germany’s Left Party, Ines Schwerdtner, has revealed an agreement reached with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in May to facilitate a second ballot in the election of the Chancellor.
Speaking Sunday in an interview with ZDF, Schwerdtner stated that CDU representatives actively sought support from her party to ensure the possibility of a second round of voting. She indicated that the CDU made certain concessions to the Left Party, which are now being called upon. According to Schwerdtner, the CDU is expected to consult with the Left Party on future decisions requiring a two-thirds majority.
She specified that this would apply to appointments such as the selection of Federal Constitutional Court judges and to potential reforms of the debt brake, a constitutional limit on government borrowing. Schwerdtner argued that despite resolutions prohibiting cooperation with the Left Party, the CDU must engage with them to maintain its ability to govern effectively. Following the failed election of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as a Constitutional Court judge, Schwerdtner expects the CDU and Social Democrats (SPD) to propose a new candidate and include the Left Party in the subsequent discussions.
Furthermore, Schwerdtner called for the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the procurement of protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic under the leadership of former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). She noted that the Left Party and the Greens would require the support of SPD or CDU parliamentarians to establish such a committee without the involvement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).