Brandenburg Minister Fired Over Hospital Reform Dispute as Coalition Collapses

SPD's Dietmar Woidke dismisses Green Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher, paving the way for a new coalition with the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW).

Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) dismissed Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Green) during a Bundesrat session over disagreements on the hospital reform vote.
Nonnemacher opposed Woidke's push to send the reform to a mediation committee, arguing it would derail the legislation, and planned to abstain from voting, making Brandenburg's vote invalid.
The dismissal led to the collapse of Brandenburg's SPD-led coalition with the Greens and CDU, with Green Agriculture Minister Axel Vogel resigning in protest.
Woidke's actions have been criticized by Green leaders, including Robert Habeck, who accused him of aligning with the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) ahead of forming a new coalition.
SPD and BSW are finalizing negotiations for a new government, aiming to preserve all hospital locations and improve local healthcare access.