CDU and Greens continue exploratory talks

After the repeat election to the Berlin House of Representatives, the election winner, the CDU and the Greens, continued their exploratory talks. Representatives of both parties met for the second time on Wednesday to explore whether there is a basis for starting coalition negotiations and a possible joint government formation. A first meeting took place last Friday.

CDU top candidate Kai Wegner is aiming for a two-party coalition with the SPD or the Greens and wants to become head of government. However, the previous coalition of SPD, Greens and Left also has a majority in the new House of Representatives and could form a government. The parties involved have been holding exploratory talks since last Friday.

"Today we are going into the issues where we are well aware that there are different views in some areas," he said at the beginning of the meeting with the Greens. He cited transport policy, housing policy, the city of diversity and the climate-neutral city as examples.

Greens top candidate Bettina Jarasch named housing and rents as well as internal security. Both parties wanted to take their time on Wednesday, she said. "Because these topics also need time, so you really have to thoroughly explore whether and how something could work."

Since the start of the exploratory talks last Friday, representatives of the CDU have spoken twice to the SPD and now also twice to the Greens. On Tuesday, the previous coalition partners SPD, Greens and Left Party explored for the first time, and they will meet again on Thursday. The CDU and SPD will meet again on Friday.

The CDU clearly won the repeat election on February 12, according to the preliminary result, with 28.2 percent. SPD and Greens both got 18.4 percent. With 105 votes, the Social Democrats only have a wafer-thin lead over the Greens. The left came to 12.2 percent in the election, the AfD to 9.1. The FDP flew with 4.6 percent from the parliament, which now has five groups.

With this status, the Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD), who has been in office since December 2021, could remain in office should the red-green-red continue to govern in Berlin. However, should the Greens still push past the SPD after the official final result has been determined next Monday (February 27), Jarasch would have the chance to move into City Hall if the three-party coalition continues. If the SPD or the Greens form a coalition with the CDU, neither Giffey nor Jarasch could become head of government – ​​then Wegner would have a chance.

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