Second Kretschmer cabinet explained

Cabinet Name:Second Cabinet of Michael Kretschmer
Cabinet Number:10th
Cabinet Type:Cabinet
Jurisdiction:Saxony
Flag:Coat of arms of Saxony.svg
Flag Border:true
Incumbent:20 December 2019 –
Date Formed:20 December 2019
Government Head Title:Minister-President
Government Head:Michael Kretschmer
Deputy Government Head Title:Deputy Minister-President
Deputy Government Head:Wolfram Günther
Martin Dulig
Members Number:12
Political Parties:Christian Democratic Union
Alliance 90/The Greens
Social Democratic Party
Legislature Status:Coalition government
Opposition Parties:Alternative for Germany
The Left
Election:2019 Saxony state election
Legislature Term:7th Landtag of Saxony
Predecessor:First Kretschmer cabinet

The Second Kretschmer cabinet is the current state government of Saxony, sworn in on 20 December 2019 after Michael Kretschmer was elected as Minister-President of Saxony by the members of the Landtag of Saxony. It is the 10th Cabinet of Saxony.

It was formed after the 2019 Saxony state election by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Alliance 90/The Greens (GRÜNE), and Social Democratic Party (SPD). Excluding the Minister-President, the cabinet comprises twelve ministers. Seven are members of the CDU, two are members of the Greens, two are members of the SPD, and one is an independent politician.

Formation

See also: 2019 Saxony state election. The previous cabinet was a coalition government of the CDU and SPD led by Minister-President Michael Kretschmer.

The election took place on 1 September 2019, and resulted in significant losses for both governing parties. The opposition AfD achieved a major swing and became the second-largest party behind the CDU. The Left also suffered losses, while the Greens recorded a modest improvement and moved into fourth place ahead of the SPD.

Overall, the incumbent coalition lost its majority. The CDU ruled out cooperation with the AfD or The Left, leaving a Kenya coalition of the CDU, Greens, and SPD as the only practical option. The latter two parties stated they were open to discussions.[1] Minister-President Krestchmer said he expected an unusually long period of negotiations due to the differences between the parties; the Saxony CDU is considered one of the most conservative party associations in Germany and particularly opposed to the Greens.[2] The SPD called for exploratory talks the day after the election; on 7 September, the CDU and Greens also voted to open discussions.[3] Meetings began a week later.[4]

On 3 October, the three parties announced that exploratory talks had concluded successfully.[5] The CDU and SPD voted on 11 October to begin coalition negotiations, followed by the Greens the next day.[6] Discussions and meetings between working groups began during the week of 21 October.[7] Negotiations continued to five weeks before an agreement was reached. The parties intended to unveil their draft agreement on 22 November, but were delayed by conflicts over the distribution of cabinet departments.[8]

The coalition contract was presented on 1 December.[9] It was approved by the CDU congress on 11 December, receiving the support of around 80% of delegates.[10] The SPD and Greens both held membership ballots to approve the coalition. The results of the SPD vote were released on 16 December, with 74% voting in favour on 64% turnout.[11] The Greens followed on 19 December, with 93% voting to approve the agreement.[12]

Kretschmer was elected as Minister-President by the Landtag on 20 December 2019, winning 61 votes out of 118 cast.[13] The coalition agreement was formally signed the same day, and the new cabinet sworn in.[14]

Composition

PortfolioMinisterPartyTook officeLeft officeState secretaries
Minister-PresidentMichael Kretschmer
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
First Deputy Minister-President
Minister for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture
Wolfram Günther
bgcolor=GREENS20 December 2019Incumbent
Second Deputy Minister-President
Minister for Economics, Labour and Transport
Martin Dulig
bgcolor=SPD20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for InteriorRoland Wöller
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for FinanceHartmut Vorjohann
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for Justice, Democracy, Europe and EqualityKatja Meier
bgcolor=GREENS20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for EducationChristian Piwarz
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for ScienceSebastian Gemkow
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for Culture and TourismBarbara Klepsch
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for Social Affairs and Social CohesionPetra Köpping
bgcolor=SPD20 December 2019Incumbent
Minister for Regional DevelopmentThomas Schmidt
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
Head of the State Chancellery
Minister for Federal Affairs and Media
Oliver Schenk
bgcolor=CDU20 December 2019Incumbent
State Secretary for Digital Administration and Administrative ModernisationThomas Popp
bgcolor=Ind.20 December 2019Incumbent

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Landtag election results: These coalitions are possible. 2 September 2019. de. Süddeutsche Zeitung.
  2. Web site: 2 September 2019. de. Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk.
  3. Web site: CDU and Greens also ready to explore Kenya. 8 September 2019. de. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
  4. Web site: Kenya coalition? 2 weeks after the election, exploratory work begins in Saxony. 16 September 2019. de. Euronews.
  5. Web site: Explorations wrapped up: Saxony is heading towards the Kenya coalition. 3 October 2019. de. Der Spiegel.
  6. Web site: Greens vote for coalition negotiations with CDU and SPD. 12 October 2019. de. Die Zeit.
  7. Web site: Is the Kenya coalition coming?. 21 October 2019. de. Sachsen Fernsehen.
  8. Web site: Government formation: Kenya coalition in Saxony is apparently here. 30 November 2019. de. Die Zeit.
  9. Web site: The coalition stands. 1 December 2019. de. Süddeutsche Zeitung.
  10. Web site: CDU in Saxony votes for alliance with Greens and SPD. 11 December 2019. de. Die Zeit.
  11. Web site: SPD members vote for Kenya coalition. 16 December 2019. de. Die Zeit.
  12. Web site: Kenya coalition in Saxony. 19 December 2019. de. Die Zeit.
  13. Web site: Michael Kretschmer re-elected Minister-President of Saxony. 20 December 2019. de. Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk.
  14. Web site: Saxony's Kenya government is sealed. 20 December 2019. de. Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk.