The governing coalition in Brandenburg is facing a crisis after two more members of the BSW party announced their departure from the parliamentary faction on Tuesday. This follows the recent resignation of Vize-Ministerpräsident Robert Crumbach, further diminishing the BSW’s representation in the Landtag.
BSW Faction Shrinks, Coalition Stability in Question
André von Ossowski and Jouleen Gruhn informed officials in Potsdam of their decision to leave the BSW faction, reducing its membership from an original 14 to just 11. As a result, the coalition government formed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the BSW no longer holds a majority in the Brandenburg Landtag.
SPD Rejects Calls for New Elections
The current situation stems from earlier instability within the BSW faction. In November, the departure of other members prompted a crisis, though two later rejoined. On Monday, Finanzminister Crumbach resigned from both the party and the faction, stating he believed the “Geschäftsgrundlage” – the fundamental basis – of the coalition had failed. The SPD had previously requested a clear commitment to the coalition from the BSW, a request the BSW faction leadership declined.
SPD Absorbs Crumbach into its Ranks
In a move to maintain stability, the SPD faction officially welcomed Robert Crumbach as a non-party member on Tuesday. SPD-Fraktionschef Björn Lüttmann announced the unanimous decision, stating it reflected “Vertrauen und Respekt” – trust and respect – for Crumbach’s work and position.
Ministerpräsident Dietmar Woidke (SPD) indicated on Tuesday morning that if the BSW fails to demonstrate stability, a coalition with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) would be pursued. Such a coalition, bolstered by Crumbach’s inclusion in the SPD faction, could achieve a majority. However, SPD-Generalsekretär Kurt Fischer ruled out new elections in the event of a complete coalition breakdown.
This report is based on information from Antenne Brandenburg, broadcast by rbb on January 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the current crisis in Brandenburg’s government?
The crisis was triggered by the resignation of Vize-Ministerpräsident Robert Crumbach, followed by the departure of two additional BSW members – André von Ossowski and Jouleen Gruhn – from the BSW faction.
What is the current status of the governing coalition?
The SPD and BSW coalition no longer holds a majority in the Brandenburg Landtag due to the reduced size of the BSW faction.
What options are being considered to resolve the situation?
The SPD is considering forming a coalition with the CDU, and has ruled out new elections at this time.
How will these recent political shifts impact the future direction of Brandenburg’s government?
