History of Europe

2005:The Heide killer overthrows Simonis

The state elections in 2005 resulted in a narrow, unclear majority in parliament.

The CDU in Schleswig-Holstein lost a total of 735 votes in the state elections on February 20, 2005 to join the FDP in government. Although the Christian Democrats are the strongest force, their 30 seats together with the 4 mandates of the FDP are not enough for the necessary majority of 35 seats. But even the SPD (29 seats) and the Greens (4 seats) cannot continue the red-green government coalition. Because the South Schleswig Voters' Association (SSW) is also represented in the state parliament with two deputies. The party that represents the interests of the Danish minority becomes the "tip of the scales".

Everyone negotiates with everyone

Apart from the FDP, which decided early on to have the CDU as its partner, almost everyone spoke to everyone else in the days after the election:Social Democrats and Christian Democrats discussed a grand coalition, the SSW met with the SPD, the Greens discussed with the Social Democrats , the CDU and SSW are also exploring possible cooperation. On February 25, a small party conference of the SSW decides to negotiate with the SPD and the Greens about tolerating a minority government.

Despite differences in education policy and administrative reform, talks between the three parties are progressing. On March 11, the SPD and the Greens agree on a coalition agreement. A day later, the SSW decides to tolerate a red-green government headed by Prime Minister Heide Simonis (SPD). Björn Engholm, former Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, almost prophetically describes the constellation known as the "Danish traffic light" as a "fragile alliance" and recommends a grand coalition.

A MP refuses

Can't believe it:Heide Simonis didn't get a sufficient majority in four votes.

When Simonis is to be re-elected Prime Minister on March 17 with the votes of the SPD, Greens and SSW, there is a scandal in the Kiel state parliament:the previous head of government is horrified to see how she only received 34 votes in the first round and her opponent Peter Harry Carstensen (CDU) 33. With two abstentions, at least one MP from the red-green Simonis camp refused to vote. In a second ballot, Simonis and Carstensen received 34 votes each with only one abstention. A third round follows, leading to the same result, after which the session is suspended. The parliamentary groups withdraw to consultations. While Simonis leaves the plenary hall without a word, Carstensen calls the process an "emotional roller coaster ride" and renews his offer to form a grand coalition with the SPD.

Tie in the fourth ballot

After trial votes in the factions, a fourth ballot is scheduled - and again only leads to a stalemate between Simonis and Carstensen. The President of the State Parliament, Martin Kayenburg, ended the session after seven and a half hours. The previous government remains in office, but after the debacle, Heide Simonis declares that he will not run again and will later withdraw from all offices.

Who was the "Heath Killer"?

Despite much speculation about the perpetrator and motive, it is still not clear who from the SPD, Greens and SSW camp is the "Heide murderer" who prevented the government. Personal reasons, revenge or vote-buying are mentioned as possible motives. Several SPD deputies are quickly caught in the crosshairs of suspicion, but no one is exposed as a "traitor".

Grand coalition votes for Carstensen

As Prime Minister, Peter Harry Carstensen heads the grand coalition in Kiel.

After the vote failed, the SPD and CDU meet again to negotiate a grand coalition, the only constellation that is still realistic. On April 27, 2005, Parliament elected Peter Harry Carstensen Prime Minister. In the first ballot, he didn't get all 59 votes from the black-red camp with 54 - but enough to be able to govern Schleswig-Holstein. This is the first time since the resignation of Uwe Barschel in 1987 that the CDU has provided the prime minister.

Coalition fails

The grand coalition is proving to be unstable and is on the verge of failure on several occasions. In July 2009, the CDU parliamentary group decides to end the alliance with the SPD prematurely and to hold new elections. Carstensen asks the vote of confidence in parliament, fails and runs again in the state elections on September 27 as the top candidate of the CDU. Together with the FDP, the Christian Democrats have a clear majority in the new state parliament.