Thuringia's BSW wants to remain in the state government – and rules out any cooperation with the AfD

In substance, Wolf painted a picture of a party that clearly demarcates itself programmatically from the AfD while simultaneously taking a critical view of the ongoing BSW special party conference. Thuringia's BSW sees no reason to renounce the existing alliance with the CDU and SPD, because this alliance is capable of acting and is implementing concrete projects.

Pressure from the federal party around Wagenknecht

From the federal party around Sahra Wagenknecht, there had recently been calls to convene the special party conference and redefine the course in Thuringia. Wolf indirectly rejected this line and pointed to independent state-political responsibility. This further intensifies the directional dispute between the state association and the BSW federal leadership.

Minister-President Mario Voigt was confronted with allegations in January 2026, which he rejected as "nicht nachvollziehbar" and for which he announced a lawsuit before the responsible administrative court as a private individual. The background to these allegations, which arose in the context of government formation, remains contested; Voigt denies them emphatically.

Slim majority in the Erfurt state parliament

The background to the current conflict is the precarious majority of the government of CDU, BSW, and SPD in the Erfurt state parliament. The coalition has only a slim majority and depends on all three partners sticking together. Any withdrawal or distancing would immediately jeopardize the ability of the Voigt government to act.

Political observers interpret the intervention from the BSW federal party as an attempt to bring the Thuringian state party in line with a nationwide course that envisions stronger demarcation from the CDU and sharper profile-building in opposition. Wolf, by contrast, is banking on government participation as a means of political design. Thus, two strategic models within the same party stand irreconcilably side by side.

In the CDU, the BSW's continued participation in the coalition is expressly welcomed. They are counting on the continuation of the agreed projects in the areas of economy, education, and internal security. At the same time, they are also internally preparing for scenarios in which the state association of the BSW could be forced onto a different course through a special party conference.

What to expect from the special party conference

The SPD has so far remained wait-and-see. It emphasizes that the existing coalition agreement continues to apply and that there are no indications of unilateral terminations. Should the BSW federal party conference decide on a new line, it would have to be re-discussed at the state level, according to party circles.

It remains open how the special party conference of the BSW federal party, expected in the coming weeks, will turn out. Should the termination of the Thuringian coalition be decided there, the Thuringian state association would be in a dilemma: on the one hand, it would have to organize a membership vote; on the other, ministerial offices and parliamentary majorities would be immediately at stake. However, Wolf signaled that the substantive position against any form of cooperation with the AfD is non-negotiable for the state association.

What is certain: With its recent positioning against the federal leadership and in favor of remaining in the three-party coalition, Thuringia's BSW has taken a stand. In doing so, it bears considerable responsibility for ensuring that the Voigt government remains able to act – and at the same time, considerable risk of breaking apart over internal party conflicts.