Brandenburg's SPD-BSW Coalition Faces Early Challenges to Stability

Ministerpräsident Dietmar Woidke emphasizes unity as the new coalition navigates internal divisions and external pressures.

Brandenburg's SPD-BSW coalition, the first of its kind in Germany, began governing on December 11, with Dietmar Woidke re-elected as Ministerpräsident after securing a majority in a second vote.
The coalition's slim majority of 46 seats in the Landtag highlights its vulnerability, as even one dissenting vote could destabilize governance.
Political differences emerged during the coalition's first Bundesrat session, with SPD and BSW clashing on issues such as military deployments and constitutional court reforms.
The coalition's handling of the far-right AfD, classified as a right-wing extremist group, remains contentious, with BSW leaders open to limited cooperation on specific issues despite SPD opposition.
Experts warn that the coalition's stability hinges on internal cohesion, as any further defections could lead to a crisis or potentially benefit the AfD in future elections.