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The "Cuddle Coalition" on Trial: An Analysis of Eva von Angern's Speech of September 16, 2021, and Its Relevance Five Years LaterOn September 16, 2021, Eva von Angern (Die Linke) delivered a critical speech in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament against the coalition agreement of the newly formed "Germany Coalition" consisting of CDU, SPD, and FDP. She described the alliance as a "cuddle coalition" and accused it of failing to recognize the seriousness of the social and economic situation. Instead, she sees a policy of stagnation that is pushing Saxony-Anhalt further to the sidelines. Five years later, in February 2026, it is possible to examine to what extent her predictions have come true. The picture is mixed: the coalition remained stable, yet social challenges persist, and energy prices developed in phases very differently than might have been expected. The Core Messages of the SpeechVon Angern criticized the coalition agreement as "piecemeal" and "out of date." She called for a strong welfare state, an abandonment of the "neoliberal worship of the market," and a socially just approach to climate protection. She warned of a lack of financial resources, an unambitious child basic security scheme, and a policy that would turn Saxony-Anhalt into a mere "transit country." She explicitly named the necessity of a tax reform including a wealth tax in order to tackle the challenges – including climate protection and the consequences of the pandemic. The coalition is trying to "cuddle its way through" instead of making bold strategic decisions.In the context of the pandemic, von Angern referred to the "experiences of the last year and a half of the pandemic" and emphasized that the welfare state had helped during this time. This is fully consistent with Die Linke's position during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). The party fundamentally supported measures to protect the population but demanded a "solidary lockdown": strict protective measures such as lockdowns and contact restrictions should be accompanied by comprehensive social security (e.g. extended short-time work benefits, immediate aid for the self-employed, gastronomy, and culture). Die Linke repeatedly criticized the federal government for inadequate aid, lack of preparation in the healthcare system, and the deepening of social inequalities through the crisis. The party opposed a general vaccination mandate (although the executive board temporarily advocated for it) and instead emphasized voluntariness, better vaccination campaigns, and free global access to vaccines (e.g. through patent release). Demonstrations against the measures were not rejected outright; representatives such as Dietmar Bartsch warned against stigmatizing protesters but acknowledged that extremist elements were among them. Later, parts of Die Linke engaged in critical reflection: some voices accused the party of being too close to the state and insufficiently critical of fundamental rights, thereby underestimating authoritarian tendencies in pandemic policy. Media reports of the time, for example from the "Magdeburger Volksstimme" or "Der Spiegel," picked up on the image of the "cuddle coalition" and presented the coalition as a possible model for the federal level. Comparison with Reality in 2026Coalition Stability Contrary to von Angern's expectations, which spoke of internal party conflicts and instability, the coalition held until 2026. Reiner Haseloff led it, resigned at the beginning of 2026, and Sven Schulze (CDU) took over leadership while continuing the alliance. Media reports (e.g. MDR) highlighted positive developments and relief for municipalities but acknowledged weaknesses in the agreement. The coalition positioned itself as a bulwark against the strong AfD. Social Policy The child basic security scheme remained ambitious at the federal level but was only partially and belatedly implemented – with debates over financing and rejection of individual components. Child poverty in Saxony-Anhalt persisted at a high level. The law on tariff compliance and public procurement was introduced and adapted, though criticized for possible dilutions benefiting the SME sector. Finances and Taxes Von Angern's warning of empty coffers and the need for higher tax revenues (including a wealth tax) proved partially correct. No major tax reform including a wealth tax took place. Saxony-Anhalt's financial situation improved slightly due to declining debt ratios and federal grants but remained challenging. Energy Prices and Climate Protection A central point of the speech was the demand for socially just climate protection. The coalition set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. down to 18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year by 2030). However, energy prices developed highly volatile: between 2021 and 2023, household electricity prices rose sharply nationwide – from around 32 cents/kWh (2021) to over 47 cents/kWh (2023) on average. Reasons included higher procurement costs, network charges, CO₂ prices, and sanctions against Russia following the Ukraine war. CO₂ pricing (in the national fuel emissions trading system) made fossil fuels more expensive and contributed to price developments, as did the expansion of renewables and grid infrastructure. Critics attribute parts of the increases to climate policy measures. Participation of Die Linke and CDUDie Linke was actively involved in many places in Saxony-Anhalt in protests against right-wing extremism. The Burgenlandkreis district association explicitly called for demonstrations against right-wing extremism and participated in nationwide protest waves after Potsdam. The CDU also took part – often not as a party with prominent speakers, but through local representatives or within cross-party alliances. In Saxony-Anhalt, the CDU under Reiner Haseloff consistently emphasized the "firewall" against the AfD and supported demonstrations "against right-wing extremism" in many municipalities (not necessarily under the label "against the right," which it partially rejected).ConclusionEva von Angern's speech was partially accurate in its criticism of a lack of social ambition, financial bottlenecks, and the danger of stagnation – many of these issues persist in 2026. However, the coalition proved more stable than predicted and implemented climate targets, although the development of energy prices (strong increases 2022–2023, declines from 2025/2026 onward) was complex and influenced by multiple factors, including climate policy instruments. Die Linke's position on the pandemic – support for protective measures with strong social flanking – is reflected in the speech and remains a central component of its socio-political orientation. As an opposition force, Die Linke (with Eva von Angern as lead candidate in 2026) continues to be a voice for stronger social and redistributive elements. Whether voters will prefer alternatives in 2026 remains to be seen.Transcript of Eva von Angern's Speech of September 16, 2021, in the State ParliamentDebate: So that after the elections the red pencil does not rule: Social security instead of a decline agenda in Saxony-Anhalt and at the federal level! Motion of the DIE LINKE parliamentary group - Drs. 8/151 Dear Mr. President! Ladies and gentlemen! "Cuddle coalition stands" – that was the headline in the "Magdeburger Volksstimme" on September 14, 2021, on the occasion of the signing of the coalition agreement between CDU, SPD, and FDP. Well, it has already become clear today: the seriousness of life is here. But let me return once more to the article in the "Volksstimme." The photo in the "Volksstimme" still suggested that a group had gathered for a cheerful class reunion and was passing around already yellowed class newspapers with funny photos and sayings in the style of "Remember when?". Only one person in the photo, the co-chair of the state SPD, plays the spoilsport and looks at the merry proceedings with a mixture of detachment and skepticism. Did he already know more that day? I was irritated by this linguistic image in the "Volksstimme" and by the demonstrative cheerfulness put on display for the photographers. Both, ladies and gentlemen, do not communicate the seriousness of the situation in Saxony-Anhalt, do not communicate the seriousness of the situation in Germany. You are telling the citizens of Saxony-Anhalt: we want to cuddle our way through. That may be a nice narrative for your Germany Coalition, Mr. Minister-President. However, that narrative has already failed today and – this is the crucial point – it deliberately ignores the challenges of our time. Germany faces major challenges. We stand at essential crossroads that will decide the future of subsequent generations. And yes, Saxony-Anhalt also faces five decisive years. We must answer how we can achieve socially just climate protection that includes all people. Precisely with the experiences of the last year and a half of the pandemic behind us, we must answer how we want not only to guarantee but actually to realize a strong welfare state. I say this very clearly: Yes, we need to break away from the neoliberal worship of the market. To all despisers of the welfare state, I say that it was precisely this state that carried us relatively well through the last year and a half. And yes, we need more of it. A strong social foundation creates security and protection precisely in times of change. If one looks at the coalition agreement, it becomes clear: the answers it gives to these challenges are not up to date, they are piecemeal. In this way, Saxony-Anhalt will continue to lose. We will remain the country through which people merely pass, nothing more. Even looking at today's election, it has once again become clear: this minister-president is by no means the guarantor of stable conditions in our state. Despite all the cuddling, you also quarreled – and precisely when it came to posts and responsibilities for ministers and ministeresses, i.e. in fact when it came to power. The minister-president's intervention in the negotiations only became necessary when Ms. Feußner presumed to appoint a Thuringian instead of a Saxon-Anhalt resident as her state secretary. Prof. Dr. Wulf Diepenbrock, former rector of Martin Luther University, wrote about this in the "Mitteldeutschen Zeitung": "Who is Jürgen Böhm? He is an outstanding education politician and school expert, such as are few. (…) There are only few East Germans who can look back on such a career." He was even recognized in Bavaria. I tell you: No, we cannot afford – in view of the ever-deepening valley of bitter tears of school policy in Saxony-Anhalt – to do without such proven expertise and competence, let alone because of cuddle politics. That is not clever politics for Saxony-Anhalt. The CDU also wants to cuddle its way through; it rejected a possible two-party alliance with the SPD, thereby placing value on a numerically larger majority here in this high house and bringing the FDP on board. The minister-president wants to make us believe that he wants a stable majority that does not depend on sick notes. In reality, he does not want to depend on unreliable elements in his own parliamentary group. That is a political certificate of poverty. A lot has already been speculated about today. I would also like to remind you of the two authors of the memorandum who were deputy chairs of the CDU parliamentary group in the last legislative period. They believed that it must once again be possible to combine the social with the national. As one hears, the two are no longer part of the parliamentary leadership precisely because the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus intervened. Of course, the fear of vote dependency and possible backlash from the former state chairman and interior minister, whom Mr. Haseloff dismissed because he had publicly floated cooperation with the AfD in the event of the failure of the then Kenya coalition, must also be mentioned. But, ladies and gentlemen, the SPD also wants to cuddle its way through; it voluntarily set aside an extremely favorable tactical situation for itself and especially for the implementation of its possible election goals. It has now lost the economics ministry and thus – I believe this is bitter – control over the tariff compliance and procurement law. There was no election forum, Ms. Dr. Pähle, in which you did not consciously place this correct demand at the forefront. Now you must wait or perhaps hope that the CDU-led economics ministry will present a draft law. In case this draft is presented, you have already paved the way for your demand – one of the most important demands, the minimum wage in procurement – to be circumvented. Your deal in this new coalition was: minimum wage in procurement in exchange for legal leeway to circumvent it. I'm sorry, but I don't understand the tactic behind this deal. Incidentally, I also find the wording on child basic security in the coalition agreement extremely unambitious. You want to contribute positively to the debate at the federal level. Wow! They're trembling in Berlin. Of course we would have needed a Bundesrat initiative. You know very well that almost every fourth child in Saxony-Anhalt lives in poverty. We know what that means in concrete terms. One cannot hide behind empty phrases here; concrete action was long overdue. Now we see that the more agreeable partner – more agreeable than the Greens – is the FDP. However: you should not be mistaken about the cuddle potential or the willingness to cuddle of the state FDP and its front figures, and you should not build any illusions. But when I look to Berlin, I must assume here and now that the SPD chancellor candidate also prefers to cuddle with the FDP rather than push through his goals, namely the statutory minimum wage and the introduction of a wealth tax. This is a truth that is not liked to be heard, but which everyone should be aware of if they vote for the SPD and hope for more social justice. You will be bitterly disappointed. The keyword "wealth tax" hits the core problem of your coalition agreement. In many places you will lack the money to implement many things. The possibilities that the Kenya coalition had at the time are exhausted. The coffers of the state of Saxony-Anhalt are empty. Your only possibility, perhaps even hope, is actually higher tax revenues. Finance Minister Richter recently spoke before the district council association of a "major challenge for our state" – I add: for which he has a solution and which the coalition agreement also offers no solution. That is why I say very clearly: your agreement is a deception package. You promise each other or the people in our state things that you cannot keep. It is also worth looking toward the federal level here. Two of the local coalition partners speak out very openly against tax increases. CDU and FDP even say that the richest in our country must be relieved. Only with a center-left alliance can the urgently needed major tax reform take place. Only then will we also have in the state of Saxony-Anhalt the necessary means to actually implement your wishes and ideas here in Saxony-Anhalt. All the challenges facing our state cost money. And of course the question of who pays must be answered. Our country is already divided – divided into millions of losers and a few winners, winners even in the pandemic with obscene wealth that has increased in the last year and a half. That is why we need a debate on appropriate wealth taxation, a major tax reform that actually relieves average and low earners (Shouts: Yes! – Great!) actually relieves. Applause from the balcony is not enough. It also does not protect against old-age poverty. The topic of "tax reform" alone shows that this coalition, which connects everything, stands for the whole – the stance, the narrative, and the message. But we urgently need ideas. We need a place of departure in our country. Instead of courageously confronting the challenges of the present and the future, instead of setting the switches in the right direction and promoting the welfare state more strongly, but also the economy – an economy that really serves society – you persist in a spineless "carry on as before!". You open no perspectives for Saxony-Anhalt. You content yourselves with a deficient administration of deficient conditions. In this way you are steering Saxony-Anhalt knowingly further onto the siding. However – I want to say this already now: of course there are alternatives to your policy on the table. We will also confront you with them publicly. Then please explain to the people why you prefer stagnation to progress. I think it has become clear: the idyll of the cuddle coalition is already over today. Thank you for your attention. Author: AI-Translation - АИИ | |
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