At 19:42, Ramelow remarks that the left has undergone "devouring from within".
19:26 Nouripour on AfD's Victory: "My sympathies lie with those who are anxious"In Thuringia, Minister-President Bodo Ramelow identifies two factors contributing to the "cannibalization" of his Left party: "Firstly, a CDU that's been continually equating the AfD and the Left, continuously promoting exclusivity towards us, despite having collaborated factually with us for five years," said Ramelow on ntv. As another reason for the Left's decline, Ramelow pointed out "an BSW that boasted of securing 17% of votes for the AfD, only to eventually acquire our votes themselves." Ramelow can still relish in the high voter turnout.
19:16 Nouripour on AfD's Victory: "This serves as a reminder for us all to safeguard democracy collectively"The AfD secures over 30% in both Saxony and Thuringia, leaving the coalition parties in their wake. Green party leader Omid Nouripour views the AfD's election result as a "reminder" and a mandate to safeguard democracy together.
19:13 Latest Forecast for Saxony: CDU's Lead NarrowsThe latest ZDF projection shows the AfD and the CDU neck and neck in Saxony: The Christian Democrats are only ahead with 31.7%, barely surpassing the AfD with 31.4% of the votes cast. The BSW comes in at 11.4%, the SPD at 7.8%. The Greens would be more securely in the state parliament with 5.5%, while the Left would fail to surpass the 5% threshold with 4.3%.
19:08 Wagenknecht Proposes Coalition with CDU and SPD in ThuringiaBSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht is seeking a coalition with the CDU and possibly also the SPD in Thuringia. "We truly hope that we'll be able to form a good government together with the CDU - perhaps also with the SPD," said Wagenknecht on ARD. Thuringia's citizens desired a stable majority government following five years of minority government, demanded Wagenknecht. This government would need to focus on tackling pressing issues such as "severe teaching shortages" in Thuringia. Meanwhile, the people wanted a state government that would assert itself at the federal level - one that, according to Wagenknecht, would advocate for peace, diplomacy, and against the placement of US missiles in Germany. Coalitions with the AfD were ruled out for Thuringia.
19:02 Latest Forecast for Thuringia: AfD's Victory Increases FurtherA ZDF forecast for the Thuringia election result indicates that the AfD is even more successful than initially estimated. According to this, the right-wing extremists secure 33.1% of the votes in the federal state. The CDU sits at 24.3%, while Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance starts from scratch and achieves 15%. The Left, who currently still provide the - popular - Minister-President with Bodo Ramelow, loses almost 8 percentage points and is now at 11.7%. The SPD comes in at 6.6%, and the Greens at 4% of the votes.
18:56 Göring-Eckardt: AfD's Success is a Democratic "Reminder" for GermanyPoliticians from the Green party are more disturbed by the AfD's success in Thuringia than their own party's defeat. Katrin Göring-Eckardt, the Green party's parliamentary group leader, sees the success of the right-wing extremists as a "reminder" for Germany. Party leader Omid Nouripour feels the pain of his own party's setback as "minimal" in comparison to the AfD becoming the strongest force in a state parliament.
18:48 Kretschmer on Saxony: "We Have Every Reason to Celebrate"Deputy Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer perceives the CDU as a pillar of stability within the governing coalition. "We have every reason to celebrate," said Kretschmer at his party's election event. "Behind us lie five challenging years," he noted, emphasizing that Saxony's citizens had chosen the CDU and not expressed their dissatisfaction through a protest vote. "We're aware of how disenchanted people are with what's unfolding in Berlin."
18:39 Preliminary Results for Saxony: CDU's Lead over AfD DecreasesPreliminary results on ZDF suggest that the CDU's lead over the AfD is narrowing in the Saxony state election: The CDU now holds a narrow lead with 31.9%, while the AfD has 31.3%. The BSW comes in at 11.6%, the SPD at 7.8%. The Greens would barely make it into the state parliament with 5.2%, while the Left would fail to meet the 5% threshold with 4.5%.
18:27 SPD Sec-Gen: "Actual Risk of Exit from State Parliament"SPD Sec-Gen Kevin Kühnert acknowledged his party's modest performance in Thuringia and Saxony elections. "Tonight isn't a celebration for the SPD," he said on ARD. He noted the party's struggles in recent years, stating, "There was a real risk of being kicked out of the state parliaments." Despite this, he maintained, "Fighting is worth it, we're needed." He emphasized the need for change, including more communication and listening to voters. Regarding Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he said, "We need to explain our politics together."
18:09 Höcke Praises Thuringia Result as "Significant Triumph"AfD parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke sees Thuringia's result as "significant." The AfD is now the most popular party in the state, he said on MDR. "The absurd 'firewall' rhetoric needs to end," he said. "Change will only come with the AfD."
18:02 Chrupalla on Thuringia: "Level with the CDU"AfD party leader Tino Chrupalla hailed his party's result as amazing, reflecting a shift in voter preference in both federal states. The AfD is open to talks with all parties, he said on ZDF. "In Saxony, we're neck and neck with the CDU," he said, adding that the AfD wants to govern for Saxony's benefit.
18:00 CDU Sec-Gen: No Coalition with AfDCDU Sec-Gen Carsten Linnemann ruled out coalitions with the AfD in Thuringia or Saxony. "We're clear on this," he said on ARD. The CDU will now form governments from the parliament's center, he said, expressing confidence that this would be successful. The CDU is the only remaining people's party and a "bulwark," he said, noting that the traffic light parties had been punished.
17:59 Projection for Saxony: CDU Breaks Ahead of AfD, BSW at 12%, Greens Barely InAccording to the first projection for the Saxony state election, the CDU would win with 31.5% of the votes, narrowly ahead of the AfD at 30%. The BSW would be the third strongest force with 12%, while the SPD would remain in the state parliament with 8.5%. The Greens would barely make it into the state parliament with 5.5%. The Left would be out with 4%, and the FDP would not make it into the new parliament.
17:58 Projection for Thuringia: AfD Leads, CDU Second, BSW at 16%According to the first projection for the Thuringia state election, the AfD is set to win with 30.5% of the votes, followed by the CDU at 24.5% and the Left at 12.5%. The SPD would be represented in the state parliament with 7%, while the BSW would secure a seat with 16%. The Greens and the FDP would both fall short of 5%.
17:57 AfD Leads in Thuringia, BSW Doubles in SaxonyAccording to the first projection after the Thuringia state election, the AfD has emerged as the leading party, with the SPD surpassing the 5% threshold, while the Greens and FDP fall short. In Saxony, the BSW has achieved a double-digit score from scratch. The CDU is just ahead of the AfD, according to the projection. According to the projection, the Left and the FDP would not be represented in the state parliament, while the Greens would remain.
16:27 Björn Höcke Unlikely to Secure State Parliament SeatAfD faction leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, does not have a secure seat in the future state parliament. His successful party colleagues could even pose a threat to him. Many AfD candidates in the constituencies have excellent chances of winning a direct mandate. However, Höcke - facing strong opposition from the CDU candidate Christian Tischner in his Greiz II constituency - doesn't. If Tischner wins and the AfD wins more direct mandates than it is entitled to based on the second vote results, no one can enter through the state list, not even from the top position, which Höcke holds. In such a case, the AfD may try to persuade a successful direct candidate to relinquish their state parliament seat, allowing the faction leader to secure his mandate.
15:28 AfD Thuringia Plans to Celebrate Without Media CoverageThere is likely to be no media coverage of the Thuringia AfD's election party. The party, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, tried to exclude several media outlets from the event, but a court prohibited this. Subsequently, the state party excluded the entire press, citing organizational issues: there was not enough space at the venue for all the accredited media representatives.
15:52 Höcker arrives at the voting station in a Lada - Ramelow votes with his spouseThuringia's AfD state leader and main candidate cast his vote midday. The 52-year-old arrived at his voting booth in a Lada Niva, a Russian-made off-road vehicle. Höcker voted in Bornhagen in the Eichsfeld district.
State Premier Ramelow, 68, voted in the state capital of Erfurt. He cast his ballot alongside his wife, Germana Alberti vom Hofe. He has been the head of government in the state since 2014, most recently leading a minority coalition.
15:40 Higher voter turnout than beforeIn Thuringia, 44.4% of voters had cast their ballots by 2:00 PM. This is an increase of over two points compared to the last election five years ago. A high turnout is expected to continue. Absentee voters have not yet been accounted for, according to the state election commissioner. In Saxony, the turnout was 35.4% by early afternoon, only slightly higher than in 2019. However, the election commissioner expects a significant increase in absentee voters compared to 2019. The polling stations in both states will close at 6:00 PM.
15:13 "Kretschmer hopes that the traffic light parties will still make it into the state parliament"
14:40 Top issues for Saxony and ThuringiaA large survey indicates that nearly a third of voters in Saxony and Thuringia plan to vote for the AfD in the September 1st elections. The survey provides insights into why this is the case, highlighting the most significant concerns and problems. Migration is one of them.
14:13 Höcker leaves the voting booth quicklyAt the Thuringia state election, AfD's main candidate, Bjoern Hoecke, cast his vote around midday. He didn't stay long at the Bornhagen polling station and didn't speak to journalists on site. Because he had previously always lost to the CDU candidate in his home district of Eichsfeld, Hoecke switched to the Greiz constituency. However, he also faces a likely defeat against the CDU there.
13:50 Voter turnout in Thuringia similar to 2019 by middayIn Thuringia, voter turnout is similar to the previous parliamentary election. According to the state election commissioner, around 32% of eligible voters had cast their ballots at polling stations by 12:00 PM. Absentee voters are not included in these numbers. In 2019, the voter turnout at this time was 31.2%. There also seems to be more interest in the state election than in the European and local elections earlier this year. In June, the voter turnout at this time was 24.3%.
13:29 High voter turnout expected in SaxonyAt the Saxony state election, a high voter turnout is expected. By midday, 25.8% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, the Statistical State Office in Kamenz reports. In 2019, the figure was 26.2% at this time. Absentee voters are not yet included in the preliminary figures. It is expected that 24.6% of eligible voters will vote by mail, compared to 16.9% in 2019. The elections are proceeding smoothly so far, with no known issues, according to the state election commission.
13:11 Von Lucke: Election Result Could Weaken Berlin CoalitionThe outcome of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia is still pending. If the SPD does not make it into the state parliament, political scientist Albrecht von Lucke says this would "almost be an earthquake." In an ntv interview, he puts the election and its potential consequences into context.
12:44 Police Investigates Threat at Polling StationFollowing an incident at a polling station in Gera, police are investigating a threat. A man wearing an AfD T-shirt entered the polling station to cast his vote in the morning, a police spokesman said. The polling station manager then asked the man to remove the shirt, as it was forbidden party advertising in the polling station. Although the man complied, he threatened to "come back" as he was leaving the polling station, expressing dissatisfaction with how he was treated. Police then filed a report and warned the man. Additionally, police in Erfurt are investigating some political graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations for criminal damage.
12:15 Correctiv Warns of Circulating False InformationThe research network Correctiv is warning of a recurring false claim. It states that signing the ballot paper protects against vote tampering. However, the Federal Returning Officer's office confirmed to Correctiv: "The ballot paper must not be signed. Signing the ballot paper by the voter can endanger the secrecy of the vote, making the entire ballot paper invalid."
11:25 Sonneberg Experiences Massive Increase in Extremist IncidentsSonneberg becomes the first area in Germany to have an politician from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in charge. However, activists report receiving numerous threats since then, leading several to resign from their jobs. The number of extremist incidents reportedly spiked by 500% within a year. Experts link this increase to the AfD district administrator.
10:57 Kretschmer Expresses Importance of Saxony ElectionsSaxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer believes the current state election is "probably the most critical in the past 34 years." At his polling station in Dresden, he expresses gratitude to those who switched their votes to the Saxon Union, the "strong force in the bourgeois center," which includes the CDU. Kretschmer adds that this shift will enable them to form a government for the benefit of the region. In recent polls, the CDU is neck and neck with the AfD.
10:30 Ramelow Warns Against Minority GovernmentElection day sends a "festival of democracy" vibe for Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow, even if he might not secure another term. In an interview with ntv, he explains why he discourages a minority government and believes the BSW's competence is questionable.
09:59 Historian Criticizes Election Date for Invoking Unpleasant MemoriesHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the decision to hold the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia on September 1st, the 85th anniversary of Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939. He suggests that choosing this date displays a "bad sense of history," noting the negative associations one might draw between the modern-day AfD's right-wing extremist ideology and Germany's Nazi era.
09:30 Crucial Elections: Important Data for Saxony's State ElectionOver 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the opportunity to influence the political direction of the Dresden state parliament. It's possible that the CDU could lose its position as the dominant force in the state for the first time since 1990. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer highlights the importance of this election, saying it's about everything.
09:05 Kretschmer Accuses Opponents of "Hasty Activity Before Elections"The polls predict that Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer will continue the CDU's winning streak in Saxony. He speaks on various topics in an ntv interview, including his stance on the refugee debate, the traffic light government, and the Ukraine war.
08:46 Key Election Data for ThuringiaToday, Thuringia, home to around 2.1 million residents, will decide who will serve as its regional head for the next five years. It remains uncertain whether the AfD, led by top candidate Björn Höcke, will become the most influential party in the region.
08:24 How the AfD May Threaten DemocracyPolls predict that the AfD will expand its influence substantially in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. Research suggests that this growth presents a danger to democratic institutions because the rule of law is not as robust as many believe.
08:00 Polling Stations Open in Thuringia and SaxonyToday, new governments will be elected in Thuringia and Saxony. The polls show that the AfD is currently in a strong position in Thuringia, while the CDU and AfD are closely matched in Saxony. The elections serve as a test of support for the traffic light coalition in Berlin. The current red-red-green coalition in Thuringia under Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow appears unlikely to secure a majority, while the outcome in Saxony is less clear. While the CDU continues to maintain control, whether a new coalition with the BSW is possible has not been ruled out by Kretschmer. The Left Party risks being ousted from the parliament in Saxony, as well as the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
The European Parliament can provide assistance to the Commission as stated in the Treaties of the European Union.
In light of the AfD's victory, the European Parliament may be called upon to contribute in safeguarding democracy in Germany and other EU member states.
