Seeing the swearing‑in of the new ministers in Brandenburg, Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) said that the coming government is a partnership between the SPD and the CDU focused on cooperation. “We want to achieve this together – that’s the new approach” he told RBB‑Inforadio on Wednesday.
He added that, as in any coalition, there will be differing opinions, but ultimately the government must demonstrate that the centre‑left parties have the problem‑solving ability citizens expect and that people notice this in daily politics. “That is a point where, over the past years, a lot of trust has been lost at the federal level, but also in the state. That is the big challenge we face” he said.
When asked why he isn’t raising a confidence question now, Woidke said he does not see the need. “This coalition is supportive of me, and we will see that in the difficult debates we face. If that changes at some point, then it might be time to ask a confidence question. That is my decision. Until then, the opposition has an instrument: the constructive confidence vote, which can be used by those who feel a different prime minister should be elected or that new elections should be held”.