Lower Saxony’s SPD and Greens officially start coalition negotiations for a new state government. After talks in several specialist groups, the coalition negotiations will begin today (10:00 a.m.). Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) and Green Party candidate Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens) had emphasized that they want to form a government quickly in view of the energy crisis.
The SPD clearly won the state elections. Weil is aiming for his third term in office – in his first he had already governed with the Greens. This was followed by an alliance with the CDU.
The two parties had already announced a timetable. The SPD and the Greens want to present the results of the coalition negotiations next Thursday. After that, extraordinary state party conferences are planned, at which a possible coalition will be voted on. If both parties agree, the coalition agreement should be signed on November 7th, and the state parliament will meet a day later.
It is already clear that the first joint project by red-green is to be a relief package for the country in the energy crisis. That’s what Weil had promised if he were re-elected, and the Greens would have preferred to pass such a package before the election. The program presented by Weil during the election campaign should include 970 million euros, including support for daycare centers and schools, small and medium-sized companies, the health and care sector, and cultural and sports facilities.
Even beyond the energy crisis, the money under red-green should sit looser than before in the SPD-CDU government. Both parties want the country to invest significantly more than before, in housing construction and universities, for example – even if this means new debts.
On the other hand, transport policy, climate goals, how to deal with wolves, gas production in the North Sea or police issues such as the use of bodycams could still be discussed.
