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Four Brandenburg BSW Lawmakers Quit Party, Coalition Majority in Doubt

A fight over public broadcasting reforms triggered the resignations, putting the coalition’s majority in doubt.

Overview

  • Jouleen Gruhn, Melanie Matzies, André von Ossowski and Reinhard Simon left the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht but will remain in the Landtag as independents.
  • The four said they will continue to support the SPDBSW government’s parliamentary work despite leaving the party.
  • Their joint statement cited radicalized positions and authoritarian internal dynamics in BSW, pointing to the media-state treaties debate as evidence of eroding democratic culture.
  • The dispute centers on reforms to ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio and stronger youth media protection, with BSW’s federal board opposing deals that a BSW finance minister previously backed in cabinet.
  • Four members also filed a no-confidence motion against BSW faction chief Niels-Olaf Lüders, as coalition math tightens with SPD holding 32 seats and BSW 14 against 42 in opposition and key votes approaching.