In Brandenburg, SPD and CDU are close to finalizing a coalition agreement. Minister President Dietmar Woidke and CDU state leader Jan Redmann plan to present it on Wednesday. Cabinet personnel assignments remain unresolved.
The Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU) in Brandenburg have been negotiating a new coalition for six weeks. Talks began about two weeks after the collapse of the previous SPD/BSW coalition on January 6, triggered by exits from the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance and BSW parliamentary group. Thanks to the switch of two former BSW lawmakers to the SPD faction, the parties hold a two-vote majority.
According to the German Press Agency, no major conflict areas remain open. However, the parties are still clarifying ministry assignments. The presentation of the red-black agreement was originally set for Monday, but SPD and CDU are granting themselves two extra days. "We are taking the time needed for thorough and good work," stated general secretaries Kurt Fischer (SPD) and Gordon Hoffmann (CDU). "There is no reason to rush."
Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Jan Redmann (CDU) plan to present the coalition contract on Wednesday, as indicated by an invitation from the state press conference. Open issues concern the distribution of portfolios. Three ministries previously held by BSW—finance, health, and transport—are available for reassignment. It is unclear if these will automatically go to the CDU. Central is which post Redmann will receive; key areas include interior, finance, and economy.
Current officeholders such as Interior Minister René Wilke (SPD, 41 years old, in office since May 2025) and Economics Minister Daniel Keller (SPD, 39 years old) are seen as rising stars. The finance department is led by Robert Crumbach (non-partisan, ex-BSW), whose switch to SPD secured the majority. A takeover by Redmann would require adjustments.
The new government could be sworn in during the third week of March. The SPD has scheduled a party congress for March 14, and the CDU plans a member poll. Already clear: Due to an impending billion-euro deficit, the parties plan austerity measures, mainly on state personnel, but not affecting police, justice, or education. They also aim to relieve the economy.
