(Adnkronos) – The SPD and the CDU have signed a coalition pact to form a minority government in the eastern German state of Saxony. For the outgoing Minister-President and CDU leader in the Land, Michael Kretschmer, the agreement “is also an invitation to those who are not part of this coalition but want to work for our Land”, a reference to the need for the coalition to make use of external support to get the measures approved.
In Germany, many are looking to Saxony, said Kretschmer, and the coalition will proceed with humility and modesty, but also with great enthusiasm. The outgoing Minister-President described the 110-page coalition agreement as a solid basis for a joint effort. SPD leader Henning Homann called the agreement an “invitation to the democratic groups in Parliament” and said the coalition partners would be ready to compromise. The new government lacks one vote for a majority in the Dresden parliament and hopes to obtain it through a consultation mechanism. The next head of government in the Land will be elected by secret ballot tomorrow.
