East Germany: CDU Politician Kretschmer Considers Firewall Obsolete

Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer has urged for greater openness to dialogue with all political parties, asserting that the concept of "firewalls" is outdated in the current political landscape of East Germany. "Anyone still talking about firewalls has not recognized the signs of the times. We must talk to everyone who wants to talk," Kretschmer told the Handelsblatt.

His comments come as Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU has reiterated the party's stance against cooperating with the far-right AfD or the left-wing Linke party. This position presents a potential challenge in states like Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where upcoming state elections in September could necessitate coalitions beyond the AfD.

Kretschmer, who also serves as deputy federal CDU chairman, currently leads a minority government in Saxony and has established a "consultation mechanism" in the state parliament. He noted that the AfD is the only faction that has refused to participate, seemingly banking on the government's failure. "A party like the AfD harms the country," Kretschmer stated.

In addition to his remarks on inter-party dialogue, Kretschmer criticized the federal government's economic policies. He argued that the government's reform package is insufficient and that "cuts in social services will not put Germany on a growth course." He emphasized that "passive consolidation" merely adjusts spending to income and does not stimulate growth, which he believes stems from freedom and reduced regulation. Kretschmer expressed concern that without faster action from the government, the CDU could face a bleak outlook in the next federal election.