Given the low approval ratings for the red-black federal coalition government, the SPD in Saxony-Anhalt is distancing itself from its own federal party ahead of the state election in September. Therefore, the top candidate and vice-minister-president, Armin Willingmann, has secured support from several SPD minister-presidents for the campaign. Willingmann told the “Tagesspiegel” (Monday edition) that he wants to demonstrate during the campaign that Social Democrats are capable of governing well in other states as well. For this, he expressed pleasure that successful SPD minister-presidents such as Olaf Lies, Anke Rehlinger, and Dietmar Woidke have already committed their support.
When asked whether he would like appearances by SPD leader Lars Klingbeil or SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf in Saxony-Anhalt, Willingmann declined to answer. The election is set for September 6th. Willingmann stated that decisions made by the Berlin coalition, or even their public behavior, “affect us in all ways” whether positive or negative. He further added that the SPD in Saxony-Anhalt plans to continue to accompany Berlin politics, as in the past, with both constructive and critical oversight, distancing itself from the federal government where necessary, in the state’s best interest.
Willingmann criticized the federal government’s planned tax-free €1,000 bonus and the continuation of non-insurance-related social benefits for health insurance providers. He predicted that Saxony-Anhalt will likely not grant the bonus to its employees, arguing that this “unfortunate proposal by the federal government achieves little in the east and deepens the state’s division”. He also rejected the idea that legally insured persons should continue paying basic security recipient contributions. Willingmann argued that “this is not sustainable. Such costs must be spread 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 clearly reach double digits, meaning 10 percent plus x”. He indicated that the AD is expected to be the strongest party, and that the CDU will need the SPD to form a government.
Furthermore, given that the Green Party’s polling figures are below the five percent threshold, the SPD in Saxony-Anhalt is intensifying efforts to woo Green voters. He stated that they aim to convince former Green voters with pragmatic environmental policies, arguing that “a vote for the SPD should not be a wasted vote”.