- Free electors in Saxony receive explicit authorization for their activities
The Free Voters Secure Victory in Saxony's State Election. Matthias Berger, the leading candidate from his party in Leipzig Land 3 district, clinched a stunning 36.6% of the votes. He outshone contenders like the AfD's Jörg Dornau, who managed 30.7%.
Berger had maintained a non-committal stance towards the AfD prior to the state election, challenging the "firewall" proposed by the Saxon constitutional protection office as a reliable barrier against the party's right-wing extremist tendencies. "The debate is pointless. There was an AfD/SPD alliance in Grimma at one point. As long as individuals operate within democratic boundaries, a sound idea remains a sound idea," he asserted. Saxony's population is predominantly conservative, with 70% leaning towards the CDU, AfD, and Free Voters, suggesting potential cooperation.
The head of the Free Voters, Hubert Aiwanger, had ruled out political collaboration prior to the state election. "Political alliance with the AfD is out of the question, and any such move would be met with disciplinary action from the national party," Aiwanger responded to German Press Agency's inquiry. "We have a firmly-established position on this matter."
Berger's non-committal stance towards the AfD during the election sparked controversies, especially in Bavaria, where the Free Voters have a strong presence. Despite Aiwanger's firm rejection of political collaboration with the AfD, some critics questioned if this approach could potentially weaken the Free Voters' anti-extremist stance in Bavaria.
