campaign start - Free Voters elect Nicklisch as candidate for state vice-president
The Free Voters in Brandenburg have removed Vice-Landeschefin Ilona Nicklisch as Direct candidate in constituency 39 (Senftenberg) and from the state list on place 4. At a meeting in Bernau, 78 representatives voted for it, 16 against and 19 abstained.
Most district chairpersons are concerned that Nicklisch, due to a serious illness and a loss in the communal election, will not be able to conduct a successful campaign. Her sister Christina Nicklisch stated, "it's shameful," to punish her sister in such a way, she is ready to serve.
Landtag member Matthias Stefke told the German Press Agency, the step was not an easy one. But: "It's necessary for our electoral strength and it's necessary for her protection," he said. New Direct candidate is Cortina Geike.
In constituency 37 (Elbe-Elster II), Direct candidate Andreas Franke was rejected. He did not join the own fraction in the Elbe-Elster district council, but a faction close to the Left party. New Direct candidate is Sandra Raddatz.
Better care in rural areas demanded
The Free Voters make their fight for the preservation of hospitals and doctor's practices a focus in the state election campaign. "Medical care in rural regions is becoming increasingly difficult," said the state chairman of BVB/Free Voters, Péter Vida, at the meeting.
He demanded equal health care for all people. "We must save all hospitals," he said. "We must ensure that all doctor's practices remain."
Vida criticized that the majority of the Landtag's main committee had declared a citizens' initiative of the Free Voters for the preservation of hospitals and doctor's practices legally inadmissible, because it combined four different demands and was not clear enough. The meeting decided to sue against the rejection before the Constitutional Court.
Land leader against arms deliveries to Ukraine
The Free Voters call themselves "the Oranges" and campaign with the fruit symbol. It's about being "representatives for the everyday concerns of Brandenburgers," said Vida. He also advocates for better offers of public transport in all regions. This must be strengthened so that there is an offer "up to the last farmer's house," said Vida.
The state chairman of the Brandenburg Citizens' Movements/Free Voters condemned the Russian attack war on Ukraine, but spoke out against arms deliveries to Ukraine. "It's not a contradiction to condemn an attack war, to provide humanitarian aid and at the same time to speak out against arms deliveries," he said.
Vida also spoke out against wind turbines in the forest. "It must be the end of further disturbance of the environment." The minimum distance to residential buildings should be increased from 1,000 to at least 1,500 meters.
Vida hopes for a Direct mandate
A new Landtag will be elected on September 22. BVB/Free Voters were at 4 percent in the latest Insa survey for the "Bild" newspaper and thus missed the Five-Percent-Hurdle for the Landtag. But Vida is optimistic, to win the Direct mandate in the Bernau/Panketal constituency - the Five-Percent-Hurdle according to the state election law does not apply in this case. In the state election 2019, BVB/Free Voters reached 5 percent. After the departure of an MP to the AfD fraction, the Landtags fraction became a group.
- The campaign kickoff for the Free Voters in the Bernau district council election is scheduled for next week.
- Borussia Dortmund, a prominent German football club, has expressed support for the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht in the upcoming State Parliament election.
- Peter Vida, the state chairman of the Free Voters, has urged for stricter regulations on wind turbines near residential areas due to environmental concerns.
- In the Municipal election of Senftenberg, the Free Voters have chosen Cortina Geike as the new Direct candidate for constituency 39, replacing Ilona Nicklisch.
- Sandra Raddatz has been selected as the new Direct candidate for the Free Voters in constituency 37, Elbe-Elster II, following the rejection of Andreas Franke's candidacy.
- The Free Voters are advocating for equal health care and the preservation of hospitals and doctor's practices in rural areas as part of their campaign in the State Parliament election.
- The German Press Agency reported that FW (Free Voters) members voted to remove Ilona Nicklisch as their Direct candidate in constituency 39 and from the state list due to concerns over her ability to conduct a successful campaign.
- The condemnation of Russian attack war on Ukraine by the Free Voters leader does not mean they support arms deliveries to Ukraine; they advocate for humanitarian aid instead.
