Forefront: "AfD has influence in Saxony"

Polite scholar studies governance systems. - Forefront: "AfD has influence in Saxony"

Political scientist Hans Vorländer from Dresden predicts a challenging government formation following the state election on September 1st in Saxony. This is due to the remarkable performance of the AfD in the recent European election. The AfD saw a 10 percentage point loss in favor of the CDU. The Union's coalition partners in the state, the Greens, and the SPD, achieved 5.9% and 6.9% respectively. The Left Alliance (BSW) managed to secure a significant 12.6%.

Vorländer shared with the German Press Agency on Monday that it's unlikely the Kenya coalition in the state will effortlessly form a majority. Instead, it's probable that the BSW will play a crucial role. There's even the possibility that only the AfD, the CDU, and the BSW will be represented in the state parliament. In such a scenario, the CDU would face a significant predicament.

Vorländer believes that the future will hinge on Michael Kretschmer, the current minister president of the CDU. Despite some concerns about Kretschmer's standing, Vorländer asserts that the CDU can count on his solid personal values and character. "However, it's unclear if Kretschmer can win back more voters from the AfD," he said, given the current results.

He points out that the AfD is deeply entrenched in eastern Saxony and has proved its power ahead of the election. Vorländer identified two bright spots for the CDU: the Zwickau district in western Saxony and Leipzig. The CDU is struggling in eastern Saxony. Vorländer is hesitant to speculate whether such a poor showing for the CDU may signal the end for Kretschmer as the minister president. The CDU lacks robust potential alternatives. "Anything is possible if the CDU is desperate," he acknowledged.

From now until the state elections, the parties, according to Vorländer, need to emphasize their personalities and values, and outline their visions and future projects for Saxony. He quipped that they could also hope for Germany to win the football European championship and bring home medals from the Olympics to boost their popularity. Summer weather and returning vacationers in a good mood could further improve public sentiments.

Read also:

1. The anticipated state election in Saxony on September 1st will be influenced by the AfD's strong performance in the recent European elections, as noted by Dresden-based political scientist Hans Vorländer.
2. Vorländer argued that the Kenya coalition might not form a majority easily in the state parliament, suggesting that the Left Alliance (BSW) could play a pivotal role.
3. Michael Kretschmer, the current minister president of the CDU in Saxony, will be crucial in shaping the post-election political landscape, according to Vorländer.
4. Despite the CDU's 10 percentage point gain at the expense of the AfD in the European elections, the Left Alliance (BSW) managed to secure an impressive 12.6%.
5. In an interview with the German Press Agency, Vorländer highlighted that the CDU could potentially face significant challenges if the AfD, CDU, and BSW are the only parties represented in the state parliament.
6. Sahra Wagenknecht, a prominent politician from the Left Alliance (BSW), is set to compete in the upcoming State election in Saxony, as reported by various news sources like the German Press Agency.
7. The European elections have been a hot topic, with political parties like the CDU, SPD, and AfD focusing on their strategies and visions for the future of Saxony and Europe, as discussed in various articles and news broadcasts.

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