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DE RUEHFT #2670/01 2870514
ZNY CCCCC ZZH  (CCY DECL ADX0C4000E/MSI5591 510)
O 140514Z OCT 09 ZDS
FM AMCONSUL FRANKFURT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2031
INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L FRANKFURT 002670 
 
C O R R E C T E D COPY (ADDED DECL DATE) 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 20191013 
TAGS: PGOV GM
SUBJECT: GREENS IN SAARLAND TURN RIGHT, SETTING POLITICAL PRECEDENT 
 
Ref: Berlin 938 
 
Classified by: Consul General Ned Alford for reason 1.4 (b,d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: The Green Party in Saarland set a new political 
precedent October 11 when it decided overwhelmingly to form a 
coalition with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free 
Democratic Party (FDP), a so-called "Jamaica" coalition based upon 
the parties' colors (Black, Yellow and Green).  Already, the media 
and politicians from all parties are speculating as to whether this 
indicates a new course for the historically left-leaning Greens. In a 
meeting with the Ambassador October 13, Greens Party co-Chair Cem 
Oezdemir expressed satisfaction with the Saarland Greens' decision, 
noting that the key is what the party will be able to achieve. 
Almost forecasting this outcome, Greens party co-caucus leader Renate 
Kuenast told the Ambassador October 2 that she did not want the 
Greens to be part of a leftist "bloc," but rather saw the party 
working toward a coalition with the CDU on the national level in the 
future.  The Saarland Greens' vote was not only one in favor of 
forming a coalition with the CDU and FDP, but an expression of 
opposition to cooperating with the Saarland Left Party and its 
leader, Oskar Lafontaine.    End summary. 
 
 
GREENS AS KINGMAKER 
 
¶2. (U) The Saarland state elections August 30 eliminated the CDU's 
absolute majority and put the Green Party in the position of 
"Kingmaker."  The Greens had to choose whether to join with the right 
of center CDU and FDP in a Jamaica coalition or turn to the left, and 
join with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Left Party (referred to as 
red-red-green for the parties' colors).  The Greens decided to let 
their members choose its direction at their state wide convention on 
October 11, where the party decided with 78% in favor of a Jamaica 
coalition. 
 
¶3. (SBU) During the past month, rumors ran rampant as to whether a 
Jamaica or Red-Red-Green coalition would form.  Last week, Saarland 
SPD Head, Heiko Maas, publicly suggested that a Red-Red-Green 
government would happen since the parties had ironed out most of 
their differences.  All predictions blew up at the end of the week 
however when the Left Party national co-chair, Oskar Lafontaine, 
suddenly announced that he would give up his Bundestag seat in Berlin 
to stay in Saarland after the government formed.  This decision, 
which was heavily covered in the press, contradicted his prior 
position that he would serve only as an interim Caucus chief before 
returning to Berlin. 
 
 
"LAFONTAINE AND THE LEFT PARTY ERRATIC AND NOT TRUSTWORTHY" 
 
¶4.  (SBU) As soon as the State Convention began, Consulate 
representatives speaking to attendees learned that a Jamaica 
coalition was likely.  The Saarland Greens Party board had voted 
earlier in the day for a Jamaica coalition.  The Green Party 
Chairman, Hubert Ulrich, subsequently delivered an impassioned and 
emotional speech, arguing that the Left Party was unstable, erratic, 
and untrustworthy.  Ulrich considered Lafontaine's recent 
announcement to stay in Saarland to be a breach of promise and said 
that the most important factor for a coalition was stability, which 
could not be achieved with Lafontaine, but could with the CDU with 
whom negotiations and been fruitful and substantive.  Ulrich later 
referred to Oskar Lafontaine as the "father of Jamaica." 
 
¶5.  (U) Although Ulrich's message seemed to persuade many delegates, 
others spoke out against joining with the CDU and for a coalition 
with the SPD and Left party. Some speakers argued that the Greens' 
platform fits better with the ideology of the SPD and that for the 
Greens to support the incumbent Minister-President Peter-Mueller, who 
has been in office for ten years, goes against their promise to bring 
change to government. 
 
 
GREENS GET GOOD DEAL IN GOVERNMENT TO COME 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The Jamaica coalition will be the first such coalition in 
Germany. Peter Mueller the CDU Minister President will remain 
government chief. The Greens will head two ministries, the Ministry 
for the Environment and Energy and Ministry for Education.  The 
coalition agreed to numerous points most significant of which are the 
elimination of tuition fees for universities in Saarland, the 
eventual elimination of coal production in Saarland, and the 
agreement to stick to the current timetable of decommissioning 
nuclear power plants.  This last item may be significant if the 
federal CDU and FDP government, as they are discussing, decides to 
alter the nuclear decommissioning plan (see reftel).  The Saarland 
Bundesrat representatives, which will include Minister-President 
Mueller, may be compelled to vote against this national initiative 
due to the terms of their coalition agreement. 
 
 
GREENS NATIONAL LEADERS SEE NEW COURSE FOR GREENS 
 
¶7.  (C) In an October 2 meeting, Greens co-Caucus leader Renate 
Kuenast almost previewed the Saarland decision, telling the 
Ambassador that the Greens should not limit itself to being part of a 
"leftist bloc."  Rather, Kuenast said that she sees the Greens 
working toward a coalition with the CDU on the national level, a 
coalition which currently only exists in Hamburg. Greens national 
co-Chair Cem Oezdemir likewise told the Ambassador October 13 that 
the Greens should not limit their alliances but should rather see how 
they can achieve their goals, including with the CDU.  He noted, 
however, that the party is somewhat divided on this issue, with the 
party's more left-leaning wing upset with the Saarland decision. 
Oezdemir explained that the Greens and the SPD, which have 
traditionally sought to form coalitions together, draw some of their 
support from different constituencies, with the Greens drawing from 
educated, environmentalists, and the SPD the working class. 
 
¶8. (C) Comment: The decision of the Saarland Greens reflects the new 
five party political landscape in Germany.  While the Greens have 
traditionally shared more ideology with the SPD party, their current 
coalition with the CDU and FDP may force all three parties to 
question their identity as either 'left' or 'right' wing.  Oscar 
Lafontaine managed to make the final event dramatic with his 
announcement last week.  Several Green party members hypothesized 
that Lafontaine deliberately wanted to reduce the likelihood of a 
Red-Red-Green government and further damage the SPD party which is 
already suffering after resounding losses in the Sept 27 federal 
election. A damaged SPD could help the Left party maintain its now 
proven strength. A successful CDU-Green coalition may also show that 
the Greens no longer need their former SPD partners to function 
successfully in government.  End Comment 
 
¶9. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Berlin. 
 
ALFORD