BSW opposes Israeli arms hub in Saxony-Anhalt, opens AfD talks

In the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has offered talks to the Left Party (Die Linke) to develop a joint approach against the establishment of an Israeli defence company in the state.

The party stated that both sides should work together to examine the political and legal options available to the state to prevent such establishments.

Claudia Wittig, deputy chairwoman of the BSW state parliamentary group, cited the occupation of the Gaza Strip and her party’s stance against the arms industry as the rationale for this initiative.

“Our state must not become an arms industry location that derives economic profit from the continuation of this war,” Wittig said.

This development comes against the backdrop of months of debate over a planned defence industry facility in Sangerhausen, in southern Saxony-Anhalt.

In May, the municipal council in question authorised the mayor to pursue negotiations regarding a large-scale facility.

According to reporting by dpa, the enterprise in question manufactures components for the defence sector.

Separately, following the state parliamentary election in Saxony-Anhalt, BSW accepted an offer to hold talks with the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

A BSW spokesperson stated that the state executive board unanimously decided on Wednesday evening to enter into discussions with the AfD.

“In our meeting with the AfD, we will address the issues of energy supply, education, and peace policy,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not disclose further details, such as the time and location of the meeting.

Ahead of the session, BSW State Chairman Thomas Schulze emphasised:

“What we said during the election campaign remains valid for us: in principle, we are prepared to speak with all parties.”

Schulze remarked that the refusal of other parties to engage in talks was “poor political conduct” and “not a good sign for democratic culture in our country.”

AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund maintains that he should take on the mandate of forming a government. Whether and how Siegmund might become state premier remains unclear.

AfD Secretary-General Tobias Rausch had announced his intention to invite all parties represented in the state parliament to preliminary talks.

However, with the exception of BSW, all parties represented in the new state parliament rejected this invitation.

Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz, lead candidate for the Greens, said: “It is absurd to assume that we would hold talks with the far-right AfD regarding the future of our state.”

SPD state leaders Juliane Kleemann and Andreas Schmidt issued the following statement:

“For years, in parliaments, in public forums, and in its own publications, the AfD has repeatedly and radically questioned and shown contempt for democratic parties, their representatives, and the foundational institutions of our democratic order.”

Having entered the state parliament in Magdeburg with just over 5% of the vote, BSW does not categorically rule out offering case-by-case political support to the AfD.

Nevertheless, according to statements by party founder Sahra Wagenknecht, it rejects entering into a formal coalition.

In the new state parliament, the CDU holds 15 seats. The SPD, Die Linke, and the Greens have eight seats each, while BSW entered the Magdeburg state parliament for the first time with five lawmakers.

The AfD secured 39 of the total 83 seats, leaving it three votes short of an absolute majority.