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After the election, a new political constellation emerged in the city council in Fulda. The CDU and the Greens, among others, are cooperating. How stable is the alliance?
Fulda – After The CDU announced on Monday (April 20) that it wanted to work together with the Greens and the parliamentary group made up of the FDP, FGG and Free Voters in the city council meetingmany questions remain unanswered – above all: How stable is this alliance, known as “issue-oriented cooperation”? And does it last?
After the local elections on March 15th, a new political constellation emerged in the Fulda city council – under time pressure. There were only a few weeks between the election and the constituent meeting, so there was little time for the factions to forge viable alliances.
No solid coalition in the city council in Fulda
The CDU, clearly the strongest force with around 37 percent, held talks with several parties from the political center. However, the result is not a classic coalition, as was usual in previous electoral periods, but rather an initially loose collaboration with the Greens and the FDP/FGG/FW faction.
The aim is “fact-oriented cooperation for clearly defined organizational decisions,” say those involved. This includes, above all, the filling of honorary municipal seats and the positions of deputy city councilors. The first results of this vote were already visible in the constituent meeting on Monday.
With Ernst Sporer, for the first time, a representative of the Greens took over from Margarete Hartmann, who was re-elected with a large majority. Another meeting with further elections is scheduled for May 18th. How sustainable the new constellation is beyond organizational issues remains to be seen.
Every party should preserve its political DNA
CDU parliamentary group leader Patricia Fehrmann explains to the Fuldaer Zeitung: “We have found in recent discussions that there are certain similarities and can imagine maintaining a regular exchange.” The aim is to coordinate on important issues and explore majorities. Regular meetings are planned for this purpose.
However, this is not a solid coalition with binding substantive agreements. “We enter into an exchange and, if necessary, launch joint initiatives – if that makes sense for everyone,” says Fehrmann. It goes without saying that there will not always be agreement. She also does not consider a classic coalition to be absolutely necessary.
“It is important that every party preserves its political DNA.” The CDU wants to represent its own issues and win majorities for them. At the same time, exchanges with other centrist parties, such as the SPD, should be continued. In the case of controversial issues where the cooperation partners have different opinions – such as a possible extension of the pedestrian zone to Friedrichstrasse – the aim is to have a conversation and look for technical solutions.
The Greens also see communication as a pragmatic first step. Parliamentary group leader Marie-Louise Puls describes the discussions with the CDU as positive: “There are common interests in many areas, for example in the development of the Goodyear area.” Other issues still need to be approached.
Different positions, for example on Friedrichstrasse, should remain: “The cooperation does not mean that we are giving up our positions.” Puls emphasizes that there have been no concrete concessions from the CDU so far. Nevertheless, the Greens are clearly benefiting: In addition to the position of deputy head of the city council, they are also expected to chair a committee.
Agreements are much more open than in a fixed coalition
Marie-Louise Puls expresses the hope that the collaboration will develop into a stable construct: “The city needs stability – especially with the large number of factions and groups now represented.” Michael Grosch, chairman of the FDP/FW/FGG parliamentary group, speaks of a “loose cooperation” – combined with the prospect that a lasting partnership could emerge from this.
The agreements are much more open than in a fixed coalition. He leaves it open whether there were any concrete concessions from the CDU, but emphasizes: “Such agreements are always a matter of give and take.” For the FDP, the new electoral period brings with it several changes: for the first time, the two liberal city councilors are working in a parliamentary group together with representatives from Free Voters and the FGG.
The fact that there is still a need for coordination was already evident in the first meeting, in which the FGG representative voted differently than the other partners on several questions. “We have to find each other first,” says Michael Grosch. His conclusion is nevertheless optimistic: “The work with the CDU and the Greens will be fruitful. It will be fun – and it will move the city forward.”
