Voting Processes - CDU close to achieving success; AfD's first win not likely imminent.
The CDU is close to victory in multiple cities across the Thuringian district during mayoral elections, however, they may need to face run-off elections with AfD candidates in some regions. In the eastern town of Altenburg, incumbent André Neumann won while in Suhl, located in the south of Thuringia, as well as Weimar, a renowned city, CDU candidates André Knapp and Peter Kleine (not affiliated with a party) were almost guaranteed victory.
Initial results suggest that run-offs between CDU and AfD candidates have emerged in six regions. In districts like Eichsfeld, Wartburgkreis, Sömmerda, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, and Greiz, CDU candidates were leading after more than half of the ballots had been counted. In Altenburger Land, in the eastern part of Thuringia, AfD candidate Heiko Philipp edged out incumbent Uwe Melzer of the CDU.
In Thuringia, approximately 1.74 million people headed to the polls for large-scale local elections, where 13 out of 17 district councillors were being elected, as well as the five mayors of independent cities. Additionally, district councils, municipal and city councils, and honorary and full-time mayors were being selected throughout the state.
Once more than half of the ballots had been counted, the district mayors of Weimarer Land, Christiane Schmidt-Rose from the CDU, and Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Peggy Greiser (not affiliated with a party), had the opportunity to defend their positions for the first time. The run-offs for the top municipal offices will occur on June 9, alongside European elections.
Ulrike Grosse-Röthig, the chairwoman of the Left Party, expressed her relief following the initial count's results that AfD's far-right candidate Björn Höcke had no chance of securing a district council office or a town hall in an independent town on the first try. "Thuringia remains a democratic state," she proclaimed. The Left Party is one of the ruling parties in Thuringia, but only occasionally represented at the level of district councillors and mayors.
Grosse-Röthig mentioned that previous elections had demonstrated that civil society could prevent AfD candidates from participating in the second round.
The day before the election, hundreds of people protested for an inclusive Thuringia and against right-wing extremism in various locations across the state. According to police reports, roughly 2,000 people participated in a rally in Erfurt alone on Saturday. The voter turnout at 4.00 pm stood at 46.2 percent.
Despite their losses, the AfD is currently leading the state election polls with around 20 percent and the Left Party led by Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) with 16 percent. Thuringia has been governed by a red-red-green coalition since 2014 that does not hold a majority in the state parliament since 2020.
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- The run-off election between CDU and AfD candidates is anticipated in the Eichsfeld region, known for its beautiful nature and rich history.
- Despite the close race in Greiz, the CDU candidate is currently leading, potentially securing a position as the district administrator.
- In the run-off election for the mayoral position in the Sömmerda municipality, CDU candidate Andreas Müller is expected to face off against the AfD's Andreas Schmidt.
- The CDU candidate in the district councilor election in the Altenburg district, Uwe Melzer, is under pressure to defend his seat amidst a challenging run-off with AfD contestant Elisabeth Dorath.
- In the mayoral election in the Southern Thuringia district of Saale-Holzland-Kreis, CDU candidate Christoph Badura is preparing for a tight run-off against AfD's candidate Wolfgang Beidlich.
- In East Thuringia, where the district councilor election is underway, the CDU's Jorge Rücker will contest against the AfD's Peggy Sandgehrt in a run-off election.
- Concurrently, in the Weimar city district, CDU candidate Thomas Klein is preparing for a run-off election following a close contest with the AfD's Kai Sandzahl in the mayoral race.
- In the district councilor election for the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, CDU leader Peggy Greiser's position will be contested in a run-off against AfD candidate Wilhelm Klos in an unexpected turn of events.
- The AfD, currently leading the election polls with around 20%, is also aiming for victory in the district councilor election in Suhl, located in central Thuringia.
- In light of potential run-off elections, Germany's political landscape continues to be shaped by the ongoing CDU-AfD conflict, with significant implications for local government.
Source: www.stern.de
