Story perspectives

Schwesig targets Left coalition as AfD nears SPD

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Schwesig Seeks Coalition

SPD premier Manuela Schwesig aims to retain a coalition with the Left Party in the September 20 election.
Schwesig calls the AfD the most dangerous party for the country, economy, welfare and women.
All parties with realistic parliamentary chances have ruled out any cooperation with the AfD.
Polls show the AfD nearly tied with the SPD, while the CDU polls at a historic low.

Summary

Merz Cancels UN

Friedrich Merz canceled his United Nations General Assembly trip to stay in Berlin for an emergency CDU meeting.
Party insiders are discussing splitting the chancellor and CDU leader roles, letting Merz remain chancellor.
Eight CDU state leaders publicly endorsed Merz this week, temporarily easing speculation about his replacement.
Internal CDU debate intensifies over how impermeable the “firewall” against AfD cooperation should remain.

History

Historical Context

In the September 2005 federal election neither the CDU/CSU-FDP nor the SPD-Green blocs secured a majority, prompting CDU leader Angela Merkel and SPD leader Gerhard Schröder to forge a grand coalition that gave Merkel 397 chancellor votes. By excluding the newly-emerged Left Party, the partnership created a “firewall” against extremists—a principle that now guides SPD and CDU refusals to cooperate with the AfD.

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Schwesig Seeks Coalition

SPD premier Manuela Schwesig aims to retain a coalition with the Left Party in the September 20 election.
Schwesig calls the AfD the most dangerous party for the country, economy, welfare and women.
All parties with realistic parliamentary chances have ruled out any cooperation with the AfD.
Polls show the AfD nearly tied with the SPD, while the CDU polls at a historic low.

1 / 3