Björn Höcke leads Thuringian AfD into the election campaign again
Björn Höcke will lead the Thuringian AfD, which has been classified as far-right by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, into the 2024 state election campaign as the top candidate. The 51-year-old was elected first on the list on Friday with 187 yes votes, 26 no votes and 2 abstentions at a state election meeting in Pfiffelbach (Weimarer Land). He was elected with 87.79 percent of the votes cast. There were no opposing candidates. The entire list still has to be confirmed by vote at the meeting, which will last several days.
Höcke, who is the state party and parliamentary group leader in Thuringia, reiterated his goal of participating in government in the state. They want to "pose the question of power" in the state elections.
However, the AfD is almost completely isolated in the current state parliament in Erfurt. None of the parties represented in parliament can imagine forming a coalition with the AfD. The CDU and FDP accept AfD votes in order to pass their own laws. However, they have not yet supported AfD initiatives.
A new state parliament is to be elected in Thuringia on September 1, 2024. While the AfD came second behind Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow's Left Party in the 2019 state election, polls recently saw it as the strongest force in the state - with figures of 32 to 34%.
Björn Höcke and the AfD, known for their far-right leanings, are preparing for the 2024 state election campaign in Thuringia, with Höcke as the top candidate. Despite being largely isolated in the current state parliament, recent polls indicate that the AfD could potentially be the strongest force in the upcoming election, with estimates placing their support at 32 to 34%.
Source: www.dpa.com
