- By midday, voter participation mirrors that of the 2019 electoral process
In the recent elections held in Thuringia and Saxony, the initial voter participation appears to be somewhat similar to the previous elections held in 2019. By noon in Saxony, 25.8% of eligible voters had cast their votes, according to the statistical office in Kamenz. In 2019, the figure stood at 26.2% at the same time.
Preliminary data does not yet account for postal voters. Estimates suggest that approximately 24.6% of eligible voters might exercise their right to vote via mail, compared to 16.9% in 2019.
Voter turnout in Thuringia was around 32% by noon. The state election supervisor confirms that this figure does not include postal voters. In 2019, voter turnout was 31.2% at this same time.
Voting continues until 6:00 PM. These elections are viewed as a test ahead of the federal election scheduled for 2025. As per polls, the AfD may anticipate record results of approximately 30% in both states. However, forming a government might be challenging for them due to a lack of partners. A complex coalition formation is expected, with the "Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht" (BSW) looking to participate. In Saxony, Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has a chance at securing another term as Minister President, while in Thuringia, incumbent Governor Bodo Ramelow (Left) is facing a challenge to his position. The traffic light parties (SPD, Greens, and FDP) are expecting significant losses.
Saxony's Minister President exudes optimism during voting
Inspite of the difficult circumstances, Kretschmer expressed conviction that he would lead the next state government. "It has to be the Saxon Union," the CDU politician stated after casting his ballot in Dresden on Monday morning. "We are in Saxony, and we don't take orders from anyone. We follow our own Saxon path," he noted. The CDU has been governing Saxony since 1990.
Police investigate threat at Thuringian polling station
No significant disruptions were reported by noon. In Gera, the police were called to a polling station due to a threat. A man wearing an AfD t-shirt entered the polling station to vote in the morning, a police spokesperson confirmed. The polling station manager requested the man to remove the shirt as it violated the prohibition on party advertising.
The man agreed, but he made threats as he exited the polling station grounds, expressing dissatisfaction with how he was treated. The police took a statement and warned the man. Other media outlets had previously reported on the incident.
Additionally, the police in Erfurt are investigating politically motivated graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations as incidents of criminal mischief, the police spokesperson stated.
Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the term 'The CDU':
The CDU politician, Michael Kretschmer, expressed his confidence in leading the next state government in Saxony, stating, "It has to be the Saxon Union."
In Thuringia, incumbent Governor Bodo Ramelow (Left) is facing a challenge to his position from various political parties, including 'The CDU'.
