Schulze rules out deals CDU keeps independent votes

Oct 4

In the complete live exchange from Freyburg, Preiß asks Sven Schulze how constructive CDU opposition differs from case-by-case support for an AfD government. Schulze says the CDU will decide its own positions at each sitting and rejects direct cooperation, government participation or coordinated lawmaking with the AfD or BSW. He nevertheless claims those two parties want to form a government, even if they do not admit it openly. He says every CDU member has given oral and written assurances against defections, describes the unexpected election result and difficulty of moving into opposition after twenty-four years in government, and defends the group's unity despite two camps in its leadership election. He says the AfD lacks its own majority and would depend on the five BSW members and Sahra Wagenknecht. Repeatedly challenged on the CDU incompatibility resolutions and the federal coalition's position, he distinguishes independent judgments and votes from agreements with AfD or BSW. No new coalition, investiture result, actual defection or commitment to vote for Siegmund is announced.

During October 4's Bericht aus Berlin live interview from Freyburg, Sven Schulze defines constructive opposition as independently assessing each issue and deciding CDU positions and votes. He rejects direct cooperation with AfD or BSW, participation in their government and coordination on legislation. He says CDU members have repeatedly given oral and written assurances against defections, defends party unity after its unexpected election defeat and argues that an AfD government would depend on BSW and Wagenknecht. His position does not prohibit every coinciding vote or establish an actual defection or government agreement. Tagesschau's same-day retelling reports that CDU MPs will not vote for Siegmund, shows Schulze's case-by-case-position answer and raises the possibility that the stance could undermine the firewall and burden the federal coalition. Its reported investiture-vote position and interpretation remain attributed to that broadcast. The AfD's need for three outside votes and December premiership bid are prospective; no vote or concluded deal is reported.