Thuringia BSW parliamentary group defies federal leadership, votes to stay in 'Blackberry Coalition'

The Thuringian BSW state parliamentary group remains in the "Brombeer coalition" – despite pressure from the federal leadership. Is a special party conference coming now?

Published: 17 August 2026, 4:30 PM

True joy radiates from the BSW parliamentary group as they announce their decision. Photo: Jacob Schröter/dpa

dpa | The Thuringian BSW state parliamentary group wants to hold on to the so-called Brombeer coalition with the CDU and SPD – and with this decision directly opposes a conflicting resolution from the federal leadership.

"After intensive deliberation, the BSW parliamentary group unanimously passed a resolution to remain in government policy," said parliamentary group chairwoman Sigrid Hupach after a meeting of state parliament members in Erfurt, which 13 of the 15 parliamentary group members attended. Not present were BSW state parliament members Anke Wirsing and Sven Küntzel.

The debate is not over yet, however. The state board of the party is scheduled to meet this evening to discuss whether to convene a special party conference.

Reason: Doctorate Title Issue

The federal executive board of the BSW had previously, by resolution, called on the state association to no longer support Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) and to leave the so-called Brombeer coalition. The background is the revocation of Voigt's doctorate by Chemnitz University of Technology. According to his lawyer, Voigt plans to sue against the decision.

As recently as this morning before the parliamentary group meeting in Erfurt, federal executive board member Fabio De Masi repeated his demand on the ZDF morning magazine that the BSW state association must withdraw its support from Voigt. Participation in the government in Thuringia had always occurred against the will of the federal executive board.

The federal executive board had advocated for the state parliamentary group to clear the way for the election of a non-party minister-president who would govern with shifting majorities.

Difficult Vote Ratio in Parliament

The majority ratios in the Thuringian state parliament are difficult. The only Brombeer coalition in Germany, consisting of the CDU, BSW, and SPD, has 44 out of 88 seats. For all parliamentary decisions, it is dependent on at least indirect support from the Left Party parliamentary group – unless it wants to become dependent on the AfD as the largest opposition parliamentary group.

The alliance has ruled out cooperation with the AfD in its coalition agreement. BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht, however, has stated several times in the past that the demarcation from the AfD via a "firewall" has failed from her perspective. The AfD is classified as proven right-wing extremist in Thuringia, as in other federal states.

Wolf: "No Reason to Leave the BSW"

BSW state chairwoman and Thuringian Finance Minister Katja Wolf said after the parliamentary group meeting that the BSW was founded to change things – also from a position of governmental responsibility. She is convinced that the Thuringian representatives are consistently pursuing the founding idea. "And therefore, I personally see absolutely no reason to leave the BSW."

Nevertheless, she criticized the manner of communication within the party. "We received a resolution where no one spoke with us beforehand in any way," Wolf said, referring to the demand from Berlin to break the coalition. BSW co-state chairman Gernot Süßmuth said the state association does not want to "be made a pawn of campaigns that have nothing to do with Thuringia."

Wolf: "Special Party Conference Not Threatening"

Both Wolf and Süßmuth expressed openness to demands from BSW district associations to convene a special party conference to discuss the further course in the state. This will be discussed at a meeting of the state board this evening, Wolf said.

"Personally, I don't find the option of a special party conference in the current situation threatening or bad at all. The discussion with the grassroots is also necessary," Wolf said.

Wagenknecht had also brought up a state special party conference before the parliamentary group meeting. Wagenknecht holds the view that the...