The far-right party, Brandenburger Sonne-Wahl alternative (BSW), continues to hemorrhage members following the recent departure of Vice Minister President Robert Crumbach, deepening a political crisis in the state of Brandenburg. This week, André von Ossowski and Jouleen Gruhn announced their departure from the BSW parliamentary group, a move they initiated several weeks prior to the public announcement.
The exodus leaves the BSW faction significantly weakened, now comprised of only eleven members in the state parliament. This dramatic reduction throws the existing governing coalition into a precarious position, stripping it of its current majority. While a theoretical continuation of the coalition is possible if von Ossowski and Gruhn were to join the SPD faction – mirroring Crumbach’s previous maneuver – such an outcome is considered unlikely by political observers.
The instability has fueled speculation regarding alternative coalition arrangements. Discussions are reportedly underway exploring a potential partnership between the SPD and the CDU (Christian Democratic Union). Such a shift would represent a significant realignment of political forces in Brandenburg, effectively sidelining the BSW and potentially signaling a broader strategy by established parties to contain the influence of the increasingly fractured far-right movement.
The BSW’s rapid disintegration raises critical questions about the party’s internal cohesion and its long-term viability. Analysts suggest a combination of internal power struggles, disillusionment with the party’s direction following Crumbach’s controversial remarks and a deeper recognition amongst some members of the party’s limited potential for genuine political influence are contributing factors to the ongoing defection. The ensuing coalition negotiations will be closely watched, as they provide a crucial test for the SPD’s ability to navigate this volatile political landscape and define the future direction of Brandenburg’s government.